Strategy

University Assisted Community Schools Part of the Community Schools Models Strategy

What is it?

University-Assisted Community Schools (UACS) are partnerships between universities and community schools. UACS improves schools and communities while advancing university research, learning, and service. UACS programming occurs during and outside of school hours and focuses on improving various aspects of student education, including subjects such as literacy, science, technology, math, engineering, health, social-emotional learning, sports, and college and career readiness. 

What is the evidence base?

University-Assisted Community Schools increase achievement in K-12 schools, enhance undergraduates’ and graduates’ knowledge of real-world settings, and help schools of education better prepare beginning teachers.  

• Harkavy et al_2013_The Promise of University-Assisted Community Schools to Transform American Schooling: A Report From the Field, 1985–2012
• Provinzano et al_2018_Community Schools and the Role of University-School-Community Collaboration