UCLA Community School: Celebrating Language, Culture, and Community

Y

20

Stuart Foundation

Community Schools; State Universities; Cultural Awareness; Partnerships in Education; Professional Autonomy; Faculty Development; Institutional Characteristics; Public Schools; Student Needs; Immigrants; Educational Practices; Student Characteristics; Cultural Background; Instructional Leadership; Educational Cooperation; Multilingualism; English Language Learners; Social Justice; COVID-19; Pandemics; Sense of Community; Educational Opportunities; College School Cooperation; Kindergarten; Elementary Secondary Education; Low Income Students; Student Diversity

Language and culture are central to learning and human development, as they shape the ways in which people all learn and grow together. Individuals learn as members of a community that values their participation and is respectful, productive, and inclusive. This report tells the story of the UCLA Community School (UCLA-CS), a public school in central Los Angeles. This report draws from a portfolio of research-practice partnerships at UCLA-CS, and it documents the norms, structures, and practices present on campus. By providing practitioners with an example of a community school that prioritizes the needs of students in immigrant communities, this report demonstrates an approach that can serve all students. The study of UCLA-CS indicates that the following six key practices at the school contribute to its success. UCLA Community School: (1) Knows and builds on a community's history, assets, and culture; (2) Develops and articulates desired core competencies for students; (3) Nurtures shared leadership and collective agency; (4) Creates space for collaborative inquiry, professional autonomy, and teacher development; (5) Uses data and stories to elevate the school's vision and track progress; and (6) Affirms the important role that everyone plays in a community school.

ERIC

2024

ED642538