The UCLA Center for Community Schooling is a campus-wide initiative to advance university-assisted community schools. As stable anchor institutions, universities play a unique role as K-12 community school partners. Our research, teaching, and service missions inform and are informed by the work of local schools and communities. In partnership, we are poised to disrupt historical inequalities and reimagine schooling as a public good that prepares all students to succeed in college, careers, and civic life.
Our partnership vision (below) is rooted in the ideals of democracy, justice, and education. We engage in democratic spaces that build on the assets of all members; work to redistribute access to educational opportunities and resources for low-income students of color who have been marginalized in our educational system; and support community-based education that builds on the assets of students, families, and teachers. Research, teaching and service activities advance our partnership vision and support the community school approach both within our partnership schools and more broadly.
We have partnered with local community schools for over a decade. UCLA Community School has engaged in this work since its opening in 2009 and the Mann UCLA Community School partnership began in 2016. The UCLA Center for Community Schooling was created to study and share the work of these schools and to inspire and inform the development of other community schools across the district, state, and nation.
OUR PARTNERSHIP VISION
Advance DEMOCRACY, JUSTICE, and EDUCATION through community schooling in collaboration with local communities, in particular the UCLA Community School and the Mann UCLA Community School.
DEMOCRACY
We engage in democratic spaces that build on the assets of all members. These spaces include committees, governing boards, leadership teams, working groups, and other collaborative structures that make decisions and plan actions that advance justice and education. We also facilitate the engagement of other UCLA partners.
JUSTICE
We work to redistribute access to educational opportunities and resources for low-income students of color who have been historically marginalized in our educational system. This work includes mobilizing UCLA’s networks and resources to provide enrichment opportunities, mentors, and other supports. It also includes ensuring that UCLA learns from the schools and improves its college access, persistence, and outreach programs.
EDUCATION
We support community-based education that builds on the assets of students, families, and teachers. This support takes many forms including RPPs designed to deepen learning and inform policy, Center X programs that prepare and sustain community teachers & leaders, and connections to other UCLA people and programs. We also support a feedback cycle within UCLA to advance community-based education throughout the university.
OUR PARTNERSHIP THEORY OF CHANGE
Teaching, research, and service are the activities that advance our partnership vision and the four pillars of community schooling–both within the two UCLA community schools and more broadly.
OUR WORK INSIDE BOTH SCHOOLS
Leadership and Communications
Represent UCLA, maintain strong relationships with school communities
Research-Practice Partnerships (RPPs)
Collaborative inquiry that informs practice, ensures accountability and creates knowledge (Research Apprenticeship Course, research committees)
Extended Learning Partnerships (ELPs)
Connecting UCLA, school, and community resources to extend the learning of all partners (Teacher Education Residents, BruinCorps Tutors, Summer Institute, etc.).
OUR WORK OUTSIDE BOTH SCHOOLS
UCLA Consortium of Community Schools/LAUSD CS Initiative
Local, State, and National Community Schools Policy Development and Research Networks
Grant Writing & Fund raising, Fund Management, Reporting
External relations
Website
Communications
Publications