Community Education in Kentucky encompasses five components.
1. Expanded utilization of school facilities: Community schools serve the entire community. The school's facilities are utilized by people of all ages and at all times of the day, week, and year. The school becomes the center of learning for the community and provides an array of programs and services. A fully-functioning community school is one where the school is the community and the community is the school.
2. Lifelong learning opportunities: Learning begins at birth and is lifelong. As the basic education agency of the community, public schools respond to both the formal and informal educational needs and desires of all age groups in the community.
3. Volunteers programs: Whether it is a parent or other family member, a senior citizen or a young professional, volunteers enhance the learning experience of a child. Both tutoring and mentoring are examples of effective volunteer initiatives. Research demonstrates that when parents and other community members are engaged in educating students, the schools are better and student performance tends to improve.
4. Learn and Serve: Learning through serving is a form of curriculum-based, experiential education that engages students in real-life experiences that address issues and needs of the community. The community becomes the classroom, enabling students to integrate academic knowledge and critical thinking skills with real-life issues. Students have an opportunity to become resources and respected leaders in their communities.
5. Collaboration: Successful collaboration is dependent upon intentional, well-facilitated coordination. Community Education Directors assume responsibility for ensuring that continued progress is made in resolving school and community issues. Internally, Community Educators serve in many capacities with other school-based initiatives, i.e. Family Resource/Youth Services Centers, dropout prevention, drug, alcohol, and pregnancy intervention programs, school safety, after school programs, and others. Externally, Community Education provides linkage with business and industry, community agencies and organizations, and individuals to resolve community and school issues.
Program Contacts:
Monica Simpson, Program Consultant
Joan Howard, Program Consultant