SUPPORT UNIVERSITY-ASSISTED COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
The UCLA Center for Community Schooling is a campus-wide initiative to support university-assisted community schools–public schools in which universities serve as the lead partner in providing broadly based, sustained support.This approach is designed to improve both the quality of life in the community and the quality of learning at all levels of schooling.
UCLA’s research, teaching, and service missions inform and are informed by the work of two Los Angeles public schools: UCLA Community School and Mann UCLA Community School. In partnership, we are disrupting historical inequalities and reimagining schooling as a public good that prepares all students to succeed in college, careers, and civic life.
ADVANCE DEMOCRACY, JUSTICE & EDUCATION
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.
BUILD THE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS MOVEMENT
Research, teaching and service activities advance our partnership vision and contribute to the broader community schools movement. We are a Regional Training Center for university-assisted community schools as well as one of four partners who lead the State Transformational Assistance Center for California’s $4.1B investment in community schools. We also engage in collaborative research projects to inform this movement, producing publications and an open-access journal, Community Schooling.
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
Collaborative Leadership: Co-lead partnership teams with school leaders; develop and maintain strong relationships with school communities
Research-Practice Partnerships (RPPs): Collaborative inquiry that informs practice, ensures accountability and creates knowledge
Expanded Learning Partnerships: Connecting UCLA, school, and community resources to expand the learning of P-20 students, educators, and families.
OUR WORK OUTSIDE BOTH SCHOOLS
Regional Training Center for University-Assisted Community Schools
State Transformational Assistance Center
National Network of University Assisted Community Schools
National School Redesign Network