Joyce L. Epstein, Ph.D., et. al., Partnership
Center for the Social Organization of Schools
3505 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218-3843
Epstein's Framework of Six Types of Involvement
(Including: Sample Practices, Challenges, Redefinitions, and Expected Results)
TYPE 6
COLLABORATING WITH COMMUNTY
Identify and integrate resources and services from the community to strengthen school programs, family
practices, and student learning and development.
Sample Practices
x Information for students and families on community health, cultural, recreational, social support, and
other programs or services
x Information on community activities that link to learning skills and talents, including summer
programs for students.
x Service integration through partnerships involving school; civic, counseling, cultural, health,
recreation, and other agencies and organizations; and businesses.
x Service to the community by students, families, and schools (e.g., recycling, art, music, drama, and
other activities for seniors or others).
x Participation of alumni in school programs for students.
Challenges
x Solve turf problems of responsibilities, funds, staff, and locations for collaborative activities.
x Inform families of community programs for students, such as mentoring, tutoring, business
partnerships.
x Assure equity of opportunities for students and families to participate in community programs or to
obtain services.
x Match community contributions with school goals, integrate child and family services with education.
Redefinitions
x "Community" to mean not only the neighborhoods where students' homes and schools are located but
also any neighborhoods that influence their learning and development.
x "Community" rated not only by low or high social or economic qualities, but by strengths and talents
to support students, families, and schools.
x "Community" means all who are interested in and affected by the quality of education, not just those
with children in the schools.
Results for Students
x Increased skills and talents through enriched curricular and extracurricular experiences.
x Awareness of careers and of options for future education and work.
x Specific benefits linked to programs, services, resources, and opportunities that connect
students with community.
Results for Parents
x Knowledge and use of local resources by family and child to increase skills and talents or to
obtain needed services
x Interactions with other families in community activities.
x Awareness of school's role in the community and of community's contributions to the school.
Results for Teachers
x Awareness of community resources to enrich curriculum and instruction.
x Openness to and skill in using mentors, business partners, community volunteers, and
others to assist students and augment teaching practices.
x Knowledgeable, helpful referrals of children and families to needed services.