Schools cannot counteract the effects of poverty and social inequity alone, but they can become centers for collaboration with an array of service agencies committed to providing every student with the conditions that support learning.

Open year-round and with extended hours, full-service community schools work with community agencies to provide on-site social, physical, mental, vision, and dental health care; after-school activities; service-learning projects; and adult education. A coordinator from the lead sponsoring community agency works closely with the school program so that services provided are aligned with classroom curriculum and needs.

Rooted in John Dewey and Jane Addams's (Krysiak, 2001) vision for school and community collaboration, between 3,000 and 5,000 full-service community schools operate in the United States today. Internationally, community schools anchor education and social services in a range of settings, not excluding developing nations and those responding to crises. Throughout the world, community schools are models of whole child education in action.

Research demonstrates that factors outside of instructional time affect academic achievement. Community schools have shown positive results in improving not only student scholarship, but also the health and vitality of the broader communities they serve.

Strong instructional leadership, buy-in from community leaders, investment of private and public funds, and service coordination training are key to the continued success of full-service community schools. Advocates of the movement also call on schools of education to train administrators to collaborate with multiple community agencies and social work schools to prepare social workers for working with educators.

Legislation pending in the U.S. Congress would expand states' capability to deliver resources and support for full-service community schools. ASCD's 2008 Legislative Agenda (www.ascd.org/legislativeagenda) calls on Congress to support initiatives facilitating collaborations among public schools, community-based organizations, and public and private partnerships that result in the provision of comprehensive educational, social, and health services to children and families.

ASCD endorses full-service community school legislation that clearly delineates administrative and financial responsibilities, with health, medical, and social services supported by a partner agency and not assigned as a local school district mandate.