Root 1: Belief that the system’s success is critically dependent on its relationships with students, families, and the community

What this root looks like:

Districts and schools prioritize their time and resources toward relationships
Districts and schools connect the relationships to student outcomes and achievement
Districts and schools see the importance of accountability to the community
Districts and schools measure success by results, not merely effort (“we tried”)
Districts and schools have a strong understanding of the theory and research behind community engagement
Districts and schools are preventive in their mindsets and practices rather than reactive

Dee Dee Harrison, Coordinator of Family & Community Engagement, Bakersfield City School District on Root 1 in her district.

Which two descriptions are examples of what Root 1 looks like in practice?

Districts and schools prioritize their time and resources toward relationships,

AND

Districts and schools hire staff for their community engagement skills

Districts and schools understand what “community-friendly” means in their context,

AND

Districts and schools have effective communication and outreach practices

Districts and schools express a genuine commitment to sharing power,

AND

Districts and schools are willing to address the hard conversations of power, privilege, race, and class in order to serve all students

Districts and schools are preventive in their mindsets and practices rather than reactive,

AND

Districts and schools see the importance of accountability to the community