Scholar Info

Monica Medina

Urban Teacher Education
ude[dot]iupui[at]anidemm

Addressing the Needs of an Urban Community through the Development of Full Service Community Schools

Given the call for academic achievement gains in America’s public schools – particularly urban schools labeled “failing” – the need for community engagement to tackle a host of underlying social challenges warrants the resources of the nation’s colleges and universities (Harkavy & Hartley, 2009). The full service community school model engages community partners in addressing the needs of schools, students, and their families to help students achieve academic success by bridging the gap between antipoverty services and academic excellence by providing students with health care, academic enrichment, mental and behavioral health services, and other youth development activities without burdening school staff. Based on 16 years of experience with Indianapolis’ Near Westside neighborhoods, this community–based action research draws on the practical and academic lessons learned in the development of eight full service community schools in Indianapolis.