Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $74 Million to Expand Full-Service Community Schools

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $74 Million to ...  US Department of Education

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Nov 29, 2023 - 02:30
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Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $74 Million to Expand Full-Service Community Schools

The U.S. Department of Education Announces $74 Million Investment in Full-Service Community Schools

The U.S. Department of Education today announced nearly $74 million in new, five-year Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) grants to support an additional 30 local educational agencies, nonprofits, and other public or private organizations and institutions of higher education working to expand community schools including by making awards in four new states: Idaho, Missouri, New Hampshire, and Ohio. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona will highlight this announcement during a FSCS visit to Idaho today.

Emphasizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the expansion of community schools. These goals include:

  1. No Poverty
  2. Zero Hunger
  3. Good Health and Well-being
  4. Quality Education
  5. Gender Equality
  6. Clean Water and Sanitation
  7. Affordable and Clean Energy
  8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
  9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  10. Reduced Inequalities
  11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
  12. Responsible Consumption and Production
  13. Climate Action
  14. Life Below Water
  15. Life on Land
  16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
  17. Partnerships for the Goals

Expanding Community Schools for Holistic Student Success

“These new investments support what I’ve heard from parents and families across the country. Additional funding will deepen community partnerships and connect children and families to vital resources that meet their holistic needs. We know that comprehensive, wrap-around approaches—including nutrition assistance; mental health services; early childhood education; and access to high-quality afterschool summer learning, and enrichment programs—all are crucial for accelerating our students’ academic success and their recovery from the pandemic by helping them thrive both inside and outside of school,” said Secretary Cardona. “I am proud that the Biden-Harris Administration is expanding the number of community schools across the country as an evidence-based strategy to Raise the Bar in education and to deliver on our commitment to support students, families, and whole communities.”

Fulfilling the Four Pillars of Evidence-Based Community Schools

The new grantees are committed to implementing the four pillars of evidence-based community schools that improve achievement and other outcomes for students:

  • Integrated student supports that address out-of-school barriers to learning through partnerships with social and health service agencies and providers
  • Expanded and enriched learning time and opportunities
  • Active family and community engagement
  • Collaborative leadership and practices

Investing in Community Schools Across the United States

The Biden-Harris Administration has expanded Full-Service Community Schools five-fold, from $25 million in 2020 to $150 million in 2023. Community schools collaborate with local non-profits, health providers, private partners, and other agencies to coordinate and deliver services like health care, mental health and nutrition services, afterschool and summer programming, and high-quality early learning programs.

List of New Full-Service Community Schools Awardees

Applicant State/Territory Year 1 Award Grant Type
United Way of Central Alabama, Inc. Alabama $500,000 Capacity Building and Development
Oakland Promise California $401,345 Capacity Building and Development
National University California $2,997,825 Multi-Local Educational Agency
Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District California $3,000,000 Multi-Local Educational Agency
Clifford W Beers Guidance Clinic, Inc. Connecticut $500,000 Capacity Building and Development
Hartford School District Connecticut $423,190 Capacity Building and Development
Waterbury Bridge to Success Partnership, Inc. Connecticut $500,000 Capacity Building and Development
District of Columbia Public Schools District of Columbia $474,346 Capacity Building and Development
The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees Florida $6,050,675 State Scaling
United Way of Treasure Valley, Inc. Idaho $6,486,447 State Scaling
Metropolitan Family Services Illinois $9,

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

  • SDG 4: Quality Education
  • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 2: Zero Hunger
  • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The article discusses the U.S. Department of Education’s investment in Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) to support students’ academic success and recovery from the pandemic. This aligns with SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The provision of comprehensive, wrap-around approaches, including nutrition assistance, mental health services, and access to high-quality afterschool and summer programs, also relates to SDG 3, which focuses on promoting good health and well-being. Additionally, the mention of nutrition assistance connects to SDG 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Finally, the collaboration between educational agencies, nonprofits, and other organizations highlights the importance of partnerships for achieving the SDGs, specifically SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

  • Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
  • Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability, and gender-sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive, and effective learning environments for all.
  • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
  • Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
  • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources.

The targets identified are directly related to the SDGs mentioned earlier. Target 4.1 focuses on ensuring that all children have access to quality education, which aligns with the goal of Full-Service Community Schools. Target 4.a emphasizes the importance of creating safe and inclusive learning environments, which is a key aspect of the FSCS approach. Target 3.4 aims to promote mental health and well-being, which is one of the services provided by community schools. Target 2.1 addresses the need to end hunger and ensure access to nutritious food, which is a component of the wrap-around services offered by FSCS. Finally, Target 17.16 highlights the importance of partnerships, which is a key element of the FSCS model.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

  • Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex.
  • Indicator 4.a.1: Proportion of schools with access to (a) electricity; (b) the internet for pedagogical purposes; (c) computers for pedagogical purposes; (d) adapted infrastructure and materials for students with disabilities; (e) basic drinking water; (f) single-sex basic sanitation facilities; and (g) basic handwashing facilities (as per the WASH indicator definitions).
  • Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease.
  • Indicator 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishment.
  • Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks that support the achievement of the sustainable development goals.

The indicators mentioned or implied in the article can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. Indicator 4.1.1 measures the proficiency level of children in reading and mathematics, which is relevant to Target 4.1. Indicator 4.a.1 assesses the availability of essential resources in schools, including electricity, internet access, and infrastructure for students with disabilities, which relates to Target 4.a. Indicator 3.4.1 tracks the mortality rate attributed to non-communicable diseases, which is connected to Target 3.4. Indicator 2.1.1 measures the prevalence of undernourishment, which is relevant to Target 2.1. Finally, Indicator 17.16.1 evaluates the progress made in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks, which is linked to Target 17.16.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 4: Quality Education Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes. Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease.
Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round. Indicator 2

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: ed.gov

 

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