School-Community Partnerships in Maine - Prepared by Janet C. Fairman, Catharine C. Biddle, and Ming Tso Chien - May 2021

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by James

School-Community Partnerships in Maine examines how Maine schools and districts collaborate with community partners, emphasizing the role of community school concepts and the evolution of such partnerships. The report provides case descriptions across multiple districts, detailing methodology, program and service ranges, and health-focused partnership initiatives. It analyzes motivations for forming partnerships, challenges in sustaining them, successful support strategies, study limitations, and the resulting conclusion and implications for education policy and practice.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages65

Reading Time2 h 44 min

AccessFree to download

Overview of the Study

Introduction

Background

Emergence of the Community School Concept

Research on Community Schools

School-Community Partnerships in Maine

Methodology

Description of the Cases

Calais

RSU 25 (Bucksport)

MSAD 17 (Oxford Hills)

RSU 34 (Old Town)

Lewiston

Portland

Growing Partnerships through Pre-K Programs

Discussion of Findings

Factors Motivating Schools or Districts to Form Partnerships

Range of Programs and Services Provided through Partnerships

Partnerships Focusing on Health

Challenges in Forming or Sustaining Partnerships

Successful Strategies for Supporting Partnerships

Limitations of the Study

Conclusion and Implications

University of Southern Maine USM Digital Commons | School Improvement | Center for Education Policy, Applied Research and Evaluation (CEPARE) | | --- | --- | | 2021
School-Community Partnerships in Maine
Janet C. Fairman
Catharine Biddle
Ming Tso Chien
Follow this and additional works at: [https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/cepare_improvement](https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/cepare_improvement) | | Recommended Citation Fairman, Janet C.; Biddle, Catharine; and Tso Chien, Ming, "School-Community Partnerships in Maine"(2021) . School Improvement. 29. [https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/cepare_improvement/29](https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/cepare_improvement/29) This Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Center for Education Policy, Applied Research and Evaluation (CEPARE) at USM Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in School Improvement by an authorized administrator of USM Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [jessica.c.hovey@maine.edu](jessica.c.hovey@maine.edu). School-Community Partnerships in Maine Prepared by: Janet C. Fairman, Ph.D. Catharine C. Biddle, Ph.D. Ming Tso Chien May 2021 Maine Education Policy Research Institute University of Maine Orono, Maine Published by the Maine Education Policy Research Institute in the College of Education and Human Development, University of Maine. This study was jointly funded by the Maine State Legislature, and the University of Maine System. MEPRI was established to conduct nonpartisan studies on Maine education policy and the Maine public education system for the Maine Legislature. Statements and opinions by the authors do not necessarily reflect a position or policy of the Maine Education Policy Research Institute, nor any ofits members, and no official endorsement by them should be inferred. The University of Maine System is an EEO/AA employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran's status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, phone 207.581.1226. TTY 711 (Maine Relay System) . Copyright © 2021 College of Education and Human Development University of Maine, 5766 Shibles Hall, Orono, Maine 04469-5766 (207) 581-2475 A Member of the University of Maine System Table of Contents Overview of the Study ................................................................................................................................. i Introduction................................................................................................................................................. 1 Background ................................................................................................................................................. 1 Emergence of the Community School Concept .................................................................................... 1 Research on Community Schools .......................................................................................................... 2 School-Community Partnerships in Maine .......................................................................................... 3 Methodology ................................................................................................................................................ 5 Description of the Cases ............................................................................................................................. 7 Calais ......................................................................................................

FAQs

What is the main focus of the report?

The report focuses on school-community partnerships in Maine, explaining how community school concepts emerged and how partnerships operate across districts.

How does the report study partnerships?

It uses a defined methodology and describes multiple case studies, including districts such as Calais, Lewiston, and Portland, to document partnership structures and services.

What topics are covered in the findings?

The findings address motivations for forming partnerships, the range of programs and services offered, health-related partnership efforts, challenges sustaining partnerships, and strategies that support success.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by James