House the certifying entity within structures and policies that promote alignment, buy-in, and sustained funding¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The report recommends couching certification within larger systems of structures and policies that promote coherence and sustainability. Options for housing a certifying entity include "institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and state education agencies," chosen based on staff expertise, resources, and high-level institutional commitment. State and district accountability and reporting mechanisms may need revision to avoid implementation barriers, and because certification is a multiyear intensive process, schools need adequate and sustained funding.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• A potential certifying entity needs sufficient staff with the right expertise and resources, plus commitment at the highest institutional level to sustain a complex, multilayered process.

Constraints¶

• Stable funding is needed so schools can fully focus on implementation and meeting the needs of students and families.

Target Learners¶

• K-12 students in community schools

Target Learning Goals¶

• sustainable implementation of the community schools strategy

Related Strategies¶

• Use shared frameworks, cross-district collaboration, and state-level policy alignment to scale AI-enabled edtech
• Implementation recommendations for school RJ programs: funding, sustainability, policy integration, and professional development
• Develop collaboratively built, lean, and flexible standards with judicious data demands for community schools certification
• Georgia DOE LEAD certification pilot — a pilot shut down for consolidation and reorganisation despite well-received standards

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Germain, E., Maier, A., Espinoza, D., & Oakes, J. (2025). Community schools certification: An approach for implementation. Learning Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.54300/220.412