Comanaged initiative governance with a cross-sector Children's Cabinet¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · 1 claim (1 for) · 1 study (1 qualitative), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 1 claim rests on one study

Description¶

The consortium designated comanagers—a district administrator and an external consultant—who "lent necessary administrative capacity and visionary leadership," embracing adaptive and collaborative leadership strategies that enabled shared governance, continuous improvement, and attentiveness to districts' distinct needs. A rural Children's Cabinet, "a cross-sector board that advised comanagers and consortium districts," supported collaborative leadership and continuous improvement by connecting county and nonprofit officials with district leaders to identify needed services.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• A designated grant-administering district; dedicated capacity from comanagers; willing cross-sector partners.

Constraints¶

• The consortium had no inherent central office or bureaucratic structure, so the governance structure had to be built deliberately.

Target Learners¶

• Students and families in small rural districts

Target Learning Goals¶

• Sustained, high-quality community school implementation and improved service provision

Claims¶

• Leaders at city, central office, and school levels are perceived to play a key role in promoting cross-sector collaboration [+W]

Related Strategies¶

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Hernández, L., & Germain, E. (2026). Community schools in rural California: Leveraging shared resources in West Kern County. Learning Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.54300/643.620