Community Schools

Fordham University Community Schools Technical Assistance Center (CS-TAC)

PSA is the evaluation partner to the Fordham CS-TAC, one of three regional centers funded by New York State, which provides technical assistance and support to both new and existing community schools in New York City. As evaluation partner, PSA has worked with CS-TAC staff to identify needs of community school directors and school staff and to assess the quality, relevance, and usefulness of center training service and technical support. Data collection activities include interviews with school leader and community school directors, analysis of feedback surveys, and design and administration of needs assessment surveys.

Supporting Community Schools Expansion in Baltimore City High Schools

With funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, PSA provided information to staff from the Baltimore City Schools about potentially effective strategies for expanding the Community Schools model into district high schools. As part of the project, PSA staff conducted a literature review, interviewed district staff, and interviewed Community School directors and school leaders about the successes and challenges of expanding the district’s commitment to community schools to high schools. The final support provided recommendations for ways to potentially strengthen the implementation and impact of the Community Schools strategy for older students.