117th CONGRESS 2d Session |
Supporting the designation of the week of September 18 through September 24, 2022, as “Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week”.
September 19, 2022
Ms. Chu (for herself, Mr. Kildee, Ms. Meng, and Mr. Trone) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor
Supporting the designation of the week of September 18 through September 24, 2022, as “Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week”.
Whereas community schools marshal, align, and unite the assets, resources, and capacity of schools and communities for the success of students, families, and communities;
Whereas community schools are an effective, evidence-based, and equity-driven strategy for school improvement included under section 4625 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7275), as added by section 4601 of the Every Student Succeeds Act (Public Law 114–95; 129 Stat. 2029);
Whereas community schools that provide integrated student supports, well-designed and expanded learning opportunities, and active family and community engagement and that use collaborative leadership and practices have positive academic and nonacademic outcomes, including improvements in student attendance, behavior, academic achievement, school readiness, and mental and physical health, high school graduation rates, and school climate and reduced racial and economic achievement gaps;
Whereas community schools have the potential for closing racial and economic achievement gaps, as indicated in a 2021 report;
Whereas a 2021 study found that mental health care provided through community schools improved academic performance and student conduct, including reducing the number of school suspensions and disciplinary referrals;
Whereas a 2020 study found that New York City’s community schools had a positive impact on student attendance, on-time grade progression, and credit accumulation for high school students;
Whereas community schools provide a strong social return on investment, with one study citing a social return of between $10 to $15 for every dollar invested over a 3-year period;
Whereas Congress has recognized community schools as an effective use of funds for school districts;
Whereas community school coordinators are essential to building successful community schools and creating, strengthening, and maintaining partnerships between community schools and their communities;
Whereas community school coordinators facilitate and provide leadership for the collaborative process and development of a system of supports and opportunities for children, families, and others within a school’s community that allow all students to learn and the community to thrive;
Whereas community school coordinators, through their role, deliver a strong monetary return on investment for community schools and their communities, with one study citing a return of $7.11 for every dollar invested in the salary of a community school coordinator; and
Whereas “Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week”, celebrated from September 18 through September 24, 2022, recognizes, raises awareness of, and celebrates the thousands of community school coordinators across the country and the critical role of community school coordinators in the success of students: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved,
(1) supports the designation of “Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week”;
(2) thanks community school coordinators for the work they do to serve students, families, and communities, especially as communities continue to respond to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic; and
(3) encourages students, parents, school administrators, and public officials to participate in events that celebrate “Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week”.