OUR NATION faces alarming challenges in the task of educating all of our young people

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Margaret

Proposes The Community Agenda for America’s Public Schools, arguing that public education must be tightly connected with families and communities. Highlights shared challenges affecting student outcomes, including poverty, violence, instability, and substance abuse. Emphasizes that strong schools require qualified teachers, accountability, and targeted instructional support, while communities must supply more connections, learning opportunities, and time. Defines four core beliefs and a partnership-based approach to achieve measurable results for health, engagement, safety, family involvement, and academic success.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

The Community Agenda

Core beliefs

Partnerships and accountability

The results we seek

Strategies that work

OUR NATION faces alarming challenges in the task of educating all of our young people. In seeking solutions, we often find ourselves divided. Public schools are fundamental to our democratic values and must not be isolated from their communities. This disconnect does not serve our children well. When addressing public education, we must act collectively. Schools now enroll the most diverse group of young people in our history. Their progress depends on the environment in which they live and learn. Too many districts report stagnant high school graduation rates and unacceptably low performance in math and science. Too many students are disengaged from learning. Too many young people are seen as problems rather than as individuals with assets, hopes, and dreams. As citizens, we are less involved with our schools and in our democracy. We must recognize that community issues—poverty, violence, family stability, and substance abuse—are school issues. These issues are realities—not excuses. Without question, our schools need qualified teachers and strong principals. Like all public institutions, schools must be accountable for performance. But, just as surely, our young people and their families need more connections, more support, more opportunities, and more learning time to be successful. We can and we must do both. We must create effective schools that have robust relationships with families and other community institutions. When we are willing to work together, we can improve education. The education reform and accountability debate, however, is missing a key ingredient. To achieve our common goals, we must engage in serious dialogue about how to harness the shared capacity of our schools and communities. Therefore, we propose The Community Agenda for America’s Public Schools. THE COMMUNITY AGENDA The Community Agenda is built on four core beliefs: f Communities and schools are fundamentally and positively interconnected. Engaged communities build strong schools; effective schools are essential to strong communities. f Schools can make a difference in the lives of all children. The quality of schools matters. High academic standards, rigorous curricula, high-quality teachers, effective school leadership, aligned tests, accountability, and strong professional development are important factors for student success. f Children do better when their families do better. We recognize this inextricable connection and actively support the strengthening and empowering of families. f The development of the whole child is a critical factor for student success. Children grow into successful adulthood through high-quality instructional opportunities in school and out of school; by exploring their talents and interests through experiences that stretch their aspirations; and by receiving the social, emotional, and physical support they need to succeed. At the heart of The Community Agenda is a commitment to work together to create strong and purposeful partnerships for change and results. This idea—fully embraced—would make all Americans responsible and accountable for excellent schools and the positive development of all our young people. Every institution that influences positive outcomes for children and youth must be part of the agenda—schools, families, government, youth development organizations, health, mental health and family support agencies, higher education and faith-based institutions, community organizing and community development groups, unions, and business. Each brings assets and expertise; each must change how it does its work; and all must work together to close the opportunity gap. [www.thecommunityagenda.org](www.thecommunityagenda.org) THE RESULTS WE SEEK We know that results matter. Experience and research tell us that when schools and community partners collaborate and align their resources toward common results, young people succeed. We seek these results for all students: f Children en

FAQs

What is The Community Agenda for America’s Public Schools?

It is a proposal centered on creating strong, purposeful partnerships between schools and communities to drive change and results for young people.

Why does the proposal say community issues are school issues?

It argues that factors such as poverty, violence, family stability, and substance abuse directly affect students’ learning environments and progress.

What results does the agenda seek for students and families?

It aims for healthy readiness to learn, engagement and community involvement, safe and positive learning environments, family involvement in education, and academic success leading to post-secondary readiness.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Margaret