Reciprocal and Equitable Partnerships

Service Learning 101

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Why is equitable partnership crucial in a service learning setting?

“School-community partnerships play an essential role in successful schools. It can provide support and resources to meet staff, family and student needs that go beyond what is typically available through school. This happens when there are a variety of partners and partnerships that are reciprocal or mutually beneficial. Strong school leadership, and inviting school culture, educator commitment to success and the ability to collaborate and communicate with community partners are components that are essential for successful community engagement. An outcome of such engagement can be a more inclusive community all around.”

Gross, Judith M. et al. “Strong School-Community Partnerships in Inclusive Schools are “Part of the Fabric of the School… We Count on Them.” School Community Journal, 2015, Vol. 25, No. 2

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Principles of Equitable Community Engagement by Great Schools Partnership:

1. Schools and other public institutions often perpetuate systemic racism and other forms of oppression.
2. Individuals, communities and institutions are able to grow and change. Community engagement can lead to transformative benefits for schools and communities.
3. Equitable community engagement requires that school leaders share power with students, families, community members, and school staff at all levels.
4. All members of a community have valuable insights, experiences and ideas to contribute.

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Principles of Equitable Community Engagement by Great Schools Partnership:

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5. Relationship-building is a worthwhile investment that requires willingness to listen, reflect, and build empathy.

6. Discussing issues of race, power and privilege is essential in order to dismantle inequitable systems and practices.

7. Those who have been historically marginalized must be intentionally provided opportunities to participate in and lead engagement work.

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Starting a Community Partnership

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How do we find partners?

• Narrow the scope: get some clarity about why you and your organization want to partner with others, and what you hope to get out of it.
• Tap existing relationships: with whom do you work, go to school, worship, or engage in civic life? These links can play a vital role in broadening the efforts.
• Connect with bridge builders within those communities, groups, or organizations that are particularly important or strategic in reaching your goals. They are natural networkers that can “translate” for others and establish initial trust.
• Use the networking resources within your community: check with any organization that can facilitate collaborative relationships between different communities.

© Roehlkepartain, Eugene C. and Bailis, Lawrence N., 2007.

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Criteria to Choose a Community Partner

• Learning opportunities: will this partnership allow students to grow and learn?
• Language barriers: will students be able to communicate with the partners considering the language they speak?
• Geographically feasible: is the community site accessible to students considering the means and the time they have for service learning?
• Trust: is there a mutual trust between the school and the partner?
• Willingness to collaborate: does the partner show a willingness to collaborate with the school? If not, do not force the partnership.
• Common goals: do both partners feel like they have some common goals? If yes, it may be worth exploring.

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Criteria to Choose a Community Partner

• Legality of the organization: is the organization legal and credible?
• Student safety: community site visit is crucial in service learning, and making sure that the site is safe for student is important.
• Building empathy: will the partnership allow students to connect with the community and build empathy by listening to their stories?
• Student stewardship of resources: will the partnership allow students to show ownership of the project and develop leadership?
• Realistic expectations: are the needs of the community something that students can accomplish considering their age and skill level?
• Shared contribution of resources: does the partnership promote the use of both partners’ resources?

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Useful Tips

• Explore community connections
• Create a welcoming atmosphere
• Provide opportunities for social interaction / relationship building/1-1 meetings
• Practice active listening and seek out diversity
• Explore/evaluate your community assets
• Create a memorandum of understanding between the school and community
• Focus on the strength of the community rather than the problem.
• Maintain a presence in the community

© Equity Matters 2010-2013

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Evaluating Community Assets

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Assessing a Community Partnership

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You may also use a rubric and create your own survey

© GSN-NYLC

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Some useful tips

• Seek the community partner’s point of view while evaluating the partnership
• Use a community friendly language and tools
• Evaluate all the components of the partnership
• Ask the partners’ input on how to improve the partnership

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Some Questions to Ask…

Do both of the partners feel on the same level or is one of them demonstrating more power than the other?

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Did we (both partners) co-ideate and co-plan as well as effectively communicate throughout the project?

Did the students have the opportunity to build connections with the community and to learn from that?

Did we consider the community partners’ point of view and input throughout the project?

Did we actually serve the community? What have we done to make the world a better place?

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GREAT IDEA!

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