It aligns with U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona’s Raise the Bar initiative, which promotes evidence-based strategies for educational equity and excellence among all students.
It aligns with U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona’s Raise the Bar initiative, which promotes evidence-based strategies for educational equity and excellence among all students.
The United States Department of Education has launched the Full-Service Community School grant program for the fiscal year 2023, with a budget of $73.8 million.
The program aims to strengthen the connection between schools, families, and communities while promoting educational equity and excellence, as per a press release. It aligns with U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona’s Raise the Bar initiative, which promotes evidence-based strategies for educational equity and excellence among all students.
Through the program, community-based resources will be directed to support the students’ academic progress, mental health, and other essential needs.
“Full-service community schools embrace the role that schools play as the trusted center of our communities and build on that role by offering students and families access to wraparound supports and services, from tutoring and mental health counseling to nutrition assistance, violence prevention, and more,” said Cardona.
Under the Biden-Harris administration, the program has seen a five-fold increase in funding, reaching over 1,700 schools compared to 170 schools in 2021.
Community schools leverage local resources and partnerships with nonprofits, private sector organizations, and government agencies to provide comprehensive support.
The FY 2023 FSCS competition will grant $73.8 million to support approximately 45 grants across the country, coordinating services such as tutoring, healthcare, mental health support, nutrition programs, and out-of-school time and early learning initiatives.
The department said it aims to facilitate planning, capacity-building, development, implementation, operation, and coordination of effective services for students and families, particularly in urban and rural areas with high poverty rates.
The competition also encourages collaboration across agencies to address social-emotional needs and community violence prevention. Smooth transitions from early learning to kindergarten and from kindergarten to early elementary grades are also a priority.
Deputy Assistant Secretary Bernadine Futrell will launch the grant competition during the National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference in Philadelphia.
This year’s competition will focus on quality implementation, revolving around the four pillars of community schools, namely integrated student support, expanded and enriched learning time, active family and community engagement, and collaborative leadership and practices.
An invitational priority is also included to support effective transitions between early childhood education and elementary school settings.
The department seeks to expand the evidence base through a national evaluation of awarded FY 2023 FSCS grants. Earlier this year, the administration released a Community School Toolkit, showcasing federal funding for community schools.
The Biden-Harris Administration aims to implement evidence-based approaches that support students’ academic, social, emotional, and physical well-being. The FSCS grant program empowers schools and communities to provide comprehensive support systems for student success.
