Jacobson, R. (2022). Starting and sustaining community schools: 10 tips for district leaders. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Starting-and-sustaining-community-schools_FINAL_1110122.pdf
This article serves as a guide to establish and maintain community schools for the long term. It characterizes community schools as an effective method to address educational inequities and support student success through integrated, wholistic support services. The author provides key steps for starting a community school, including engaging stakeholders, assessing community needs, and developing a shared vision. Further, it focuses on strategies for sustaining these schools, such as securing funding, building partnerships, and continuously evaluating and improving programs. The document also has case studies and practical tools for educators interested in pursuing a community schools model.
Coburn, C. E. (2003). Rethinking scale: Moving beyond numbers to deep and lasting change. Educational Researcher, 32(6), 3–12. https://sim.ku.edu/sites/sim/files/files/Events/2023%20SIMposium/coburnscale%5B25%5D.pdf
When educators and researchers talk about the importance of scaling interventions or programs, they often assume a common definition of scale without stating it explicitly. Coburn offers a multidimensional framework for defining scale that comprises four components – depth (whether a program is deeply embedded in practice), sustainability (whether the core components of a program can withstand across time or different, perhaps unideal, conditions), spread (how widely a program is adopted), and shift (to what degree has the program transitioned from being owned by those who created or originated it to those who implement or take part in it).
We have shared this reading in prior Collaborative meetings and it is not required, but we still find it very relevant and useful for conversations about scalability.
During the meeting, we will use Exploring the Process of Scaling Up, an infographic that depicts Coburn’s four dimensions of scale and adds a fifth – evolution. This resource is available on Dropbox and at https://stemecosystems.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Dede-Scaling-Up-Chart.pdf.