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Volume 1, Issue 1
11/17/2015

Community Education
History and Programming

Start
Page 1
History
Page 1

The start of Community Education

Programs

The story of modern

Community education
begins during the 1930s
at the time of the Great
Depression in the city
of Flint, Michigan. Philanthropist Charles Mott
a founder of General
Motors, asked Frank J.
Manley, director of
physical education and
recreation, his opinion
about building a club for
boys in town. Manley
replied, Why not use
the buildings you already
have? Manley was referring to the public
schools in the commu-

nity. With a simple

question and response
from two men from
vastly different backgrounds to a huge social
and economic crisis in
their city a community
school was born.
In 1935, Mott helped
Flint open five community schools. The first
step in developing a community school was to
open the school doors to
all community members.
The second step was to
use all extra clock hours,
all the days, all the year

to deliver programs that

the community needed
and wanted.

Page 2
Finance
Pg 2
Engagement
Page 2

Tips to Consider

Turn the lights on in your

schools and open your doors.

Community Ed staff
are programmers,
Use their expertise to
support needs in your
school
Community Ed connections are great resources

Minnesota Community Ed. History

Community Education in the
State of Minnesota began in
1969 with the passing of the
Lighted Schoolhouse Legislation, which made it possible for school buildings to
stay open for community use
in the evening. The concept
of Community Education is

established on two main values lifelong learning and

community/citizen involvement.
Today, Community Education
is a comprehensive system
utilizing 342 school districts
to provide programs for community members of all ages,.

Classes and activities are

accessible to all learners and
held in public school buildings
during the days, nights and
weekends, making neighborhood schools a valued resource for everyone.

Think of ways community ed funding could

support your school
Work to align CE programs with your
schools curriculum
Be creative and resourceful

Programs offered
Community members are given the
opportunity to participate in many
programs consisting of School
Readiness, Adult Basic Education,
Out-ofSchool Time learning for
youth (Youth Enrichment), Early
Childhood and Family Education,
preschool screenings, Adults with
Disabilities, Adult Enrichment and
Adult Basic Education, School Age
Child Care and Driver Education.

This means that every day

participants can get help
with homework, learn new
skills for job advancement,
satisfy ones curiosity abut
anothers culture and
language, explore a new
hobby, improve personal
fitness, unleash creativity at an art class, learn new parenting strategies, plan for a

strong financial future, or

connect with neighbors at
the local senior center, or
go on a field trip as an
adult.

Education is for improving the

lives of others, and for leaving

your community and world
better than you found it.
Marian Wright Edelman

Finance
Each school district offers different
programming to fit the needs of their
community. They are required to have
implemented and meet the goals and
requirements set by the state statutes
to receive specific funding for each
programming. Community Education
programs are funded through a combination of levies, aids and user fees. Community education revenue is equal to
$5.42 multiplied by the population of
the district (per capita), or 1,335 ,

Education is the key to self-development and empowerment

Lailah Gifty Akita, Beautiful Quotes

which ever is greater. A districts youth

service program is also eligible for an
additional $1.00 per capita. ABE formula basic population aid is equal to the
greater of $3,844 or $1.73 times the
population of the district. ECFE revenue
is equal to $120 times the number of

children under age 5 in the district or

150, whichever is greater. School age
child care revenue is an equalized aid
and levy but only has an equalizing factor of $2,318.

Family and Community Engagement

Community connections are a beneficial
resource and will improve educational
outcomes for students. Engaging parents as volunteers, collaborating with
community agencies to provide resources and partnering with organizations outside of school are all ways to
expand opportunities for students while
involving the community.

Page 2

School staff are often so busy dealing

with students they often forget about
the community around them; they do not
operate in a bubble, but are part of the
community in which they function. Community educators, coordinators and directors can align their work to fully
support and enhance the work within the
schools. Their outreach can extend the
arm of the educational system to involve
all stakeholders.

Utilize your community education programs to enhance parent involvement,

community engagement and partnerships. Each will improve the educational
outcomes for students and improve
relationships with families and the community. Community Education supports
lifelong learning. It is important for
administrators to understand and acknowledge the role community ed plays
in the school district.

Community Education