In-Person Conference

Community Schools and University-Assisted Community Schools: Partnerships that Change Schools, Communities, and Universities for the Better

Overview

Join us in Philadelphia for “Community Schools and University-Assisted Community Schools (UACS): Partnerships that Change Schools, Communities, and Universities for the Better.” This free, in-person conference at the University of Pennsylvania on November 11th and 12th is co-sponsored by Penn’s Netter Center for Community Partnerships and the Institute for Educational Leadership’s Coalition for Community Schools. The conference is open to the entire UACS National Network and all Community School initiatives in the Northeast.

The event includes:

1.  A Deep Dive on the Role of Universities in University-Assisted Community Schools

Monday, November 11, 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM

This session will focus on what colleges and universities have done to successfully create and sustain university-assisted community schools and advance research, teaching and learning at both the university and in the schools. Course development and implementation, fellowship programs for graduate students, mentoring programs for faculty, and campus-wide recognition for faculty and community partners will be explored. Connecting this work to the promotion and tenure process as well as sharing perspectives from university and college provosts and deans will also be featured.

Throughout the conference, academic partnerships at UACS will be highlighted, including community engaged research and scholarship as well as courses that advance teaching and learning (K-16+) through Academically Based Community Service (ABCS) and service learning.

Deans and senior academic leaders are encouraged to attend.  We will have a special lunch discussion with provosts, deans and senior academic leaders on Monday. 

Free breakfast and lunch included.

 

2. Partnerships that Change Schools, Communities, and Universities for the Better -- Plenaries and Breakout Sessions on CS and UACS

Monday, November 11, 1:00 PM to Tuesday, November 12, 2:00 PM 

Community school partners – school, union, university, non-profit, neighborhood, and government – will discuss:

• Creating and sustaining university-assisted community schools that advance research, teaching and learning at both the university and in the schools
• Organizing and structuring partnerships that support community-based learning and increase student engagement in community schools
• Implementing programs that simultaneously improve student learning and community wellbeing in environmental health, mental health, physical health, college access, nutrition, STEM education, and literacy

There will also be time for participants from the Northeast to co-construct a regional community school strategy. 

Free meals include dinner on Monday and breakfast and lunch on Tuesday.

 

3. Site Visits to Netter Center UACS Schools in West Philadelphia

Tuesday, November 12th, 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM 

Site visit participants will tour either a K-8 or high school and see UACS programs in action. Limited availability. NOW FULL - WAITLIST ONLY.

Agenda at a Glance

View the Agenda at a Glance here.

Detailed Agenda

Forthcoming

Location

All activities aside from the site visits will be held at Houston Hall at 3417 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

Register Here

Registration capacity is limited to 250 participants. The registration form will close once the limit is reached. By submitting this form, both we and you are confirming your registration. If you're unable to attend the conference after submitting this form, please email myag@sas.upenn.edu.

Travel & Accommodations

Accommodation options, transportation information, and campus maps can be found at this link.

Not part of these networks, but interested in attending and learning more?  Please reach out to bowman@upenn.edu and CollinsJ@iel.org.