Connecting Theme, Students, and Community Build Sustainable Partnerships
As with any relationship, partnerships between magnet programs and community organizations or individuals will go through a process of establishing needs, common goals, and mutually beneficial ways of working together. A detailed description of this three-stage partnership process is discussed in the April 2012 issue of The Magnet Compass (.pdf).
Community partnerships can play crucial roles in sustaining a magnet program—providing high-quality experiences for students, offering content expertise and resources, or connecting a program to an industry—so it is important to approach them thoughtfully. As the Community Connections Team begins its work with partnerships, share the downloadable Team Meeting Notetaker (.doc) to help team members organize their work.
QUICK WIN
Encourage members of the Community Connections Team to read and discuss the April 2012 issue of The Magnet Compass for specific guidelines on establishing and expanding partnerships to sustain a magnet program.
Use Community to Increase Capacity
The Community Connections Team should identify and assess the school’s current partnerships and consider ways to capitalize on them to increase learning opportunities:
- Build a list of the school’s theme-based partners and indicate the resources they bring to the program.
- Review student learning goals and identify areas where a partnership could provide new resources to strengthen the curriculum.
- Consider potential ways to broaden current partnership or create multiple partnerships to meet complex needs.
Leverage the strengths that organizations or individuals can offer, but do not expect that they can meet all program needs.
QUICK WIN
Determine a set schedule for meeting with community partners to ensure that both parties’ expectations are being met and to make adjustments if necessary. At the beginning of a partnership, monthly meetings might be appropriate; later, quarterly or annual meetings might suffice.
