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February 15, 2003
The Power of Partnerships
By Antone Gonsalves
Schools today are turning to banks, supermarkets, high-tech companies, manufacturers, and even Hollywood for the resources they need to implement technology, mentor students, and provide a host of enrichment services.
Across the nation schools are reeling from news of planned funding cuts as state lawmakers struggle with record-setting budget deficits. Moreover, with No Child Left Behind's lack of a protected "bucket" of funds for education technology and a growing number of resources dedicated to high-stakes testing, the rewards of a well-planned business partnership hold more allure than ever for schools.
Indeed, the facts support this. A survey conducted by the National Association of Partners in Education* found that 70 percent of all U.S. school districts today are participating in some form of business partnership, an increase of 35 percent since 1990. Collectively, these partnerships contribute about 109 million volunteer hours and $2.4 billion yearly to schools, which constitutes a 102 percent increase in the last 13 years.
Commitment from the Top
Although the rewards of a solid business partnership can be significant for schools and districts, those with experience in forging successful long-lasting relationships caution that such benefits do not come "free." Building the foundation for long-term success starts with a major commitment up front on the part of both school and business leadership. Aligning values and philosophies and setting goals and objectives that are mutually beneficial is key (see "Partnerships: Tips for School and Business Leaders," page 17). "If it's one-sided, then the partnership will eventually die out," says Scott Harriman, manager of the Cumberland County Teachers Federal Credit Union in Portland, Maine.
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| Miami Carol City Highıs partnership with Intel helps bridge the digital divide
by providing students from underprivileged families access to the newest technology. |
The credit union's partner in education is Harrison Lyseth Elementary School, whose largely middle-class, nonminority student population reflects the traditional character of the region. This unique partnership, designed to promote smart lifelong financial habits, consists of a credit union branch that's open every Friday on the school premises for the children to deposit their pennies or withdraw a bit of cash-all with parental permission, of course. With only a dollar, the credit union allows the kids to open an interest-bearing account and watch it grow. "It's very difficult to teach your children to save. We all know they know how to spend," remarks Sylvie Montello, partnership coordinator for the school.
The credit union also performs a more integral educational function at Harrison Lyseth. Kindergartners tour the bank to view the safe and cameras and find out how these and other technologies operate. Third-graders learn about balancing their checkbooks, and fifth-graders are taught about the differences between interest-bearing accounts and checking accounts. "The kids get a bit of information, but not so much that it's overwhelming," says Montello.
Mentor Power
At Harrison Lyseth, mentoring has proven a powerful intervention solution for at-risk students and also a successful means of uniting community efforts to assist education. The town's two supermarkets, fierce competitors outside school, both send volunteers every week to participate in a mentoring program. Volunteers work with one or two children, helping with schoolwork or just listening. Mentored students are usually those having trouble in the classroom for any of a variety of reasons-from shyness to lack of skills to family problems. Attesting to the program's success is the substantial waiting list. "All kids love to have someone pay attention to them, and the teachers are thrilled with the program," Montello says. "They see a big difference in the children's lives, and the students are always anxious for their mentors to show up. When you have kids with positive attitudes, it makes a difference."
The business reaps rewards as well. Word-of-mouth kudos from teachers and parents and what Harriman describes as "great press" have been wonderful public relations for the credit union. In addition, the work with the school fits the credit union's mission of contributing to education and helping teachers financially.
Bridging the Divide
Patton is a firm believer that to create a school for the 21st century, computer technology must be integrated into reading, math, science, and art. With donations from Creative Artists and other sources, the school has purchased computers and software, including four for the nearby homeless shelter where some of the students live. "They're hooked right up to us," Patton says of the shelter. The school takes a further step toward bridging the digital divide by sending a teacher to the shelter once a week to train parents in basic computer skills.
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| Through their partnership with Creative Artists, Coeur dıAlene Avenue Elementary has been able to offer homeless students a range of after-school arts programs. |
Before joining Coeur d'Alene, Patton spent years as an educator in the barrios of Houston and San Diego. "I have seen technology and the arts really open up children and turn them around," he says. To this end, Creative Artists representatives participate in after-school arts programs that help steer homeless kids away from drugs and violence. Volunteers paint murals and build sets for plays put on by the youngsters. Volunteers also help teach art and reading classes and get involved in beautification projects-from painting rooms to planting flowers. Creative Artists' considerable donations have also helped in hiring full-time music and art teachers and an after-school dance instructor. This partnership has produced measurable results. The school now ranks in the top 8 percent in California statewide exams, despite the fact that more than 150 of its students are from transient families.
Making Partnerships Work
Next: Communication is Central
Partnership Coordinators
Maintaining Integrity
Avoiding "Brain Drain"
Vigilance Pays
Antone Gonsalves, former teacher and senior editor at InformationWeek, is a freelance technology writer based in San Francisco.
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