Building & Sustaining Partnerships to Enhance Student Achievement © New Jersey Association of Partners in Education

Potential for Partnerships with Business In which issues do businesses believe they should be playing an active role? –Education (59%) –Health care –Development of alternative energy sources Center for Corporate Citizenship

Potential for Partnerships with Business What are companies’ priorities regarding investing in the community? –K-12 Education (48%) –Economic development –Job training Center for Corporate Citizenship

Importance to Business Education is the… –#1 social issue that companies support philanthropically –#1 social issue that companies believe they should play a role in –#3 social issue affecting long-term competitiveness (after health care and terrorism) State of Corporate Citizenship Survey

Business Partnership Trends Business is committed to supporting public education Improved student achievement directly impacts long term business success Trend is to move away from philanthropic partnerships/relationships Mutual benefits will define most new partnerships Accountability is expected

Connect Solve Succeed How does this theme relate to school/business partnerships? Unite:  People that care deeply about issues  People that want to improve present practice

Why partnerships? How do partnerships enhance positive outcomes for students? What is the evidence for the effectiveness of partnerships? Data from Search Institute

Risk Behavior Patterns by Partnership Exposure (%) Alcohol Use Drinking/Driving Discipline Problems

Student Thriving Outcomes by Partnership Exposure (%) Exhibiting Leadership Maintaining Health Valuing Diversity School Success

Student Positive Outcomes by Partnership Exposure (%) Improved Reading Improved Writing Improved Math Skills Improved Problem Solving

The Three “Rs” of Partnerships Rigor Relevancy Relationships

Collaboration “Collaboration is not a simple process - every step, from developing a shared vision to overcoming language and organizational gaps, is a series of give-and-take adjustments to normal operating procedure.”

Collaboration “ Collaboration is not just plugging old skills into a new arena; it is an innovation & life- changing process simultaneously exciting & threatening, which makes personal & professional support essential.”

What is “Collaboration”? Altering relationships Uniting organizations and individuals for the purpose of achieving common goals that could not be achieved by any single individual or organization acting alone

Key Elements of Collaboration Agreed-upon and institutionalized mutuality & common goals Jointly developed structures & shared responsibility Mutual authority & accountability for results Shared resources and rewards

Barriers to Collaboration Professional socialization, structure & culture Agency structure, routine, & culture Legislative mandates or limitations Professional and agency self-interest

Barriers to Collaboration Inadequate understanding of strengths & needs of schools Inadequate understanding of the needs & skills of industry, higher education, community members, & families Resistance TIME!

Attributes that Promote Partnerships Ability to Listen Consistency Reliability Accessibility Positive self-image Trust Sense of competence Effective interpersonal skills Success in prior collaborations Openness to others’ ideas

Attributes of Successful Partners Confidence: Feeling able to do it Motivation: Wanting to do it Effort: Being willing to work hard for it Responsibility: Doing what’s right Initiative: Moving into action Perseverance: Completing what you start

Attributes of Successful Partners Caring: Showing concern for others Teamwork: working with others Common Sense: Using good judgment Problem-Solving: Putting what you know and what you can do into action Focus: Concentrating with a goal in mind

Making it Happen: Building Partnerships Discuss with each other how information will be shared Use everyday language Create effective forums for effective collaborative planning and problem-solving

Essential Elements of the Framework Needs assessments Goal statements Prioritization of activities Strategy Development Implementation Plans Evaluation tools

Communication Strategies Regular, two-way, meaningful Variety to tools Establish opportunities to share information Provide clear information on expectations Disseminate information on policies, procedures, activities Provide opportunities for frequent, periodic meetings

Preliminary Planning Determine how the education experience can be enhanced. Identify unmet/under-funded needs of students and school. (Stop/Start/Continue Worksheet) Reach out to organizations for advice about partnering. Identify potential partners. Research local businesses/schools; look for a good fit. Empower employees to seek opportunities.

Preliminary Planning Understand your core values and those of your potential partner. (Matching Needs and Potential Resources Worksheet, p ) Draft a partnership proposal. Submit proposal to potential partner. Coordinate a follow-up meeting or call.

Laying The Foundation Have a frank discussion about values, goals and needs. Develop understanding of each partner’s level of involvement. Assess the impact of the partnership on students. Define goals (Developing Goals and Objectives Worksheet, p ).

Evaluation Conduct regular evaluation and monitoring. (Self-Assessment Tool for Partnership Improvement, p )

Examples of Partnerships NJAPIE recognizes Exemplary Partnership Programs tied to NJ CCC Standards through its Exemplary Partnership Award program Awardees are honored at the annual dinner of the NJ Association of School Administrators/NJ School Boards Association

Bergenfield HS Nursing Apprenticeship Program Partners: –Englewood Hospital & Medical Center –UMDNJ Foster relationships & mentoring between health professionals & students –Observations in surgery, pathology –Shadowing of nurses & medical staff

Camden County Technical Schools Academic Business Connections Luncheon Lecture Series Partners: –Business leaders, CBOs, government Network, develop partnerships –Community services –Parenting & family development –Financial matters –Physical & mental health –Career awareness & workplace readiness

Delsea Regional HS Delsea’s Service Learning Partners: –10 formal partnerships involving 21 teachers & 1600 students Grade level service learning projects –Infused into language arts curriculum –Experiential learning: service activities –Students plan & implement activities in collaboration with community partners

Ewing Township Public Schools Parkway School/Merrill Lynch Mentoring Program Partners: –Merrill Lynch Mentors for students –Long-term prevention/intervention program that often extends beyond elementary school to middle school and into the community –One-to-one mentoring from Merrill Lynch employee for at least a year, one day a week, one hour a day

Freehold Regional HS Student Transition Education Program Partners: –Community employers & 54 students Transition support for students with disabilities –School-based & community-based instruction through Structured Learning Experiences Career Awareness & Vocational Exploration Vocational Assessment in community

Mt. Olive Township Young Consumer’s Program Partners: –Ronetco Shop-Rite Become informed consumers –Visit from educational consultant to Ronetco Shop-Rite to introduce probability, fractions, tangrams; provides manipulatives for students –Family Fun Night for parents & Shop-Rite representatives –Field trip to Shop-Rite buying food for 4-day healthy menu developed by students for $100 using nutrition information from Shop-Rite’s Public Relations Administrator & visiting 10 problem-solving stations

Paramus Public Schools West Brook React Club Partners: –Paramus Rotary Club Develop responsible citizens through service –Be a Life Saver Campaign to help Katrina victims: raised $2,500 for a family –Provided food, clothes, toys, gift certificates to the displaced family –Assisted family to find employment, housing, etc.

Washington Township Public Schools Student Farmers Grow & Give Partners: –Farmers Against Hunger, local farmers, & 700 third grade students Learn science through discovery –Field trips to local farm, growing crops from seeds, providing food to the hungry –Work in cooperative groups –Environmental issues such as management of natural resources, production & use of energy –Harvest & donate produce to Farmers Against Hunger

Resources NJ Association of Partners in Education, NJ Association of Secondary School Principals, The Council for Corporate School Partnerships,