A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Executive Summary

Over the last several years, educational partnerships have proliferated across the country. Some have developed in response to legislation. Others have become vehicles for fundamental educational reform. Still others have delivered services to students and faculty to improve education or student outcomes, whether or not schools are attempting systemic changes. Partners undertaking joint endeavors with schools also vary greatly. Partnership relationships are built among schools and social service agencies, cultural institutions, businesses, industries, and institutions of higher education.

As a result of the documentation and evaluation of the Educational Partnerships Program, sponsored by the Office of Research and Educational Improvement (OERI), the Southwest Regional Laboratory (SWRL) and the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) identified information we believe will be useful to others.

Two types of practices are included in the guide: practices that deal with partnership-building and practices that represent typical partnership activities. Building and sustaining partnership relationships involve a set of tasks that vary with the goals and types of partners involved. Some, such as needs assessments and project staffing, are not tied to specific project goals. Other activities, such as staff development, student support services, and school-to-work transition activities, are widely used.

The guide includes examples of

• educational and community needs assessments;
• approaches to project staffing;
• approaches to recruiting partners and volunteers;
• staff development for social service agency, school, and business personnel;
• student support services, including mentors and coaches;
• activities involved in school-to-work transition programs, including job skills workshops, job shadowing, and internships; and
• community involvement, including parent education and "town hall" meetings.

The guide concludes with a profile of a partnership that encompassed many of the promising practices.

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[Title Page]

[Acknowledgments]