The Institute for School-Community Partnerships at the USF College of Education is partnering with Hillsborough County Public Schools
to enhance and develop community schools — public schools that merge academics with
essential services to improve student success and community well-being.
The partnership is part of a five-year, $50 million Unlimited Potential Initiative
grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education, awarded in collaboration with Florida
Agricultural & Mechanical University, Florida International University, and the University
of Central Florida. Researchers from the four universities will work together to uplift
community schools across Florida.
"I'm so excited about the work we're doing with community schools and the connection
that we are establishing with the University of South Florida," said Kimberly Thompson,
the supervisor for community schools with Hillsborough County Public Schools. "Having
an opportunity to utilize these funds to open doors or opportunities for our students
that they may not necessarily have had... ultimately, that's what it's all about."
The Institute for School-Community Partnerships is currently working with five community
schools in Hillsborough County and is about to onboard a sixth. They have worked with
district and school leaders to collect data and information on strengths and needs,
provided support and services identified through the data collected, and collaborated
with partner universities to share ideas and strategies to support community schools
with university assistance.
"This partnership is going to be very beneficial, and we are already seeing some of
the impact [of the Unlimited Potential Initiative] with some USF students from the
[school] psychology department visiting the campuses and supporting data collection
efforts," said Thompson. "These student volunteers are supporting a listening project,
gathering information from our parents, students, business partners, and other stakeholders
in the Unlimited Potential Initiative."
Pictured from left to right: Jose Castillo, Stacy-Ann January, Kimberly Thompson.
Based on the needs identified in these data collection efforts, the Institute for School-Community Partnerships has connected a local community school that requires math support with a professor of mathematics at USF. Additionally, USF students have begun providing invaluable support to food pantries at partner schools.
"We, of course, want to impact students' academic success in the community schools
we support. However, community schools' impact on educational outcomes for students
often depends on successfully supporting students and their families in other areas,"
said Jose Castillo, co-director of the Institute for School-Community Partnerships and co-principal
investigator of the Unlimited Potential Initiative. "This involves listening to and
valuing the perspectives and experiences of the students and families to involve them
in the change process meaningfully, requiring we change our normal practices as a
university when conducting research and partnering with school districts and communities."
On January 15, the Institute for School-Community Partnerships hosted its Unveiling
of University-Assisted Community Schools launch event at the USF College of Education
David C. Anchin Center. The event showcased the University-Assisted Community Schools
model, a comprehensive approach that integrates four pillars: integrated student support,
expanded and enriched learning time and opportunities, active family and community
engagement, and collaborative leadership and practices. This model was highlighted
to demonstrate its transformative ways of supporting community schools within Hillsborough
County and to show attendees how they can get involved to make a lasting impact in
their community.
"I'm grateful and excited about the opportunity to work with my colleagues here at
USF and with Hillsborough County Public Schools on this initiative," said Stacy-Ann January, co-director of the Institute for School-Community Partnerships and principal investigator
of the Unlimited Potential Initiative. "This would not be possible without the relationships
we have built with the folks at Hillsborough County Public Schools, and I'm excited
for it to continue to grow."
"My hope is that we are really able to see transformational change within these communities
as a result of this partnership and the resources, especially with the community-centered
aspect of the work we are doing," said January. "Sustainability is important to us,
and we want this work to last beyond the grant-funded period so we can continue to
make positive impacts with the students, families, and other members of these communities."
"I view this project as a wonderful example of how USF can be involved in community-engaged
research that impacts the local communities we serve in addition to national and international
impact," said Castillo. "The opportunity to hear from students, families, and communities
about what is important to them and what strengths they possess makes me excited to
do this work."