"Preparation for college and the workforce is a growing problem for American students. While U.S. students in 4th and 8th grades score above the international average in mathematics, 15-year-olds score below the international average, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Once many of these same students get into college, 40 percent of four-year students and 63 percent of two-year students require remediation. This lack of preparation for college also prevents far too many students from participating in postsecondary education. Nationally, only 38 percent of 9th graders persist through high school and directly enter college."

Krueger, Carl. "The Progress of P-16 Collaboration in the States." Education Commission of the States Policy Brief. April 2006.

To be prepared for a postsecondary education and the workforce, Indiana students need help acquiring the necessary 21st century knowledge and skills. In addition to mastery of traditional core academic subjects, they need to develop skills in critical-thinking, problem-solving, and information and communication technology.

In response to these challenges, Indiana University and the Center form partnerships with selected under-resourced school districts and focus on improving education for students with the greatest need, either through professional development for the teachers or direct service to the students. Through these long-term partnerships, the center will demonstrate how intensive involvement by a multi-campus research university can

Improve engagement in school
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Enhance academic achievement
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Increase high school graduation rates
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Open pathways to postsecondary education and 21st century careers

Background on the Partnerships

During the last legislative session, Indiana University proposed establishing school–university partnerships in Marion, St. Joseph, and Lake counties. Despite considerable bi-partisan support and endorsement by the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, the proposal was unfunded for the 2006-08 biennium. Nevertheless, the Indiana University Bloomington Office of the Provost committed $270,000 annually for five years to establish the School of Education Center for P–16 Research and Collaboration to facilitate partnerships leading to educational improvements from pre-kindergarten through college. In addition, the IU Office of the Vice President for Institutional Development and Diversity earmarked $50,000 annually for three years to support partnership activities in the Gary area.

With this commitment of resources, the Center initiated, although on a smaller scale, partnership activities with schools in the three counties. Currently, Pathways Memoranda of Understanding have been signed in three school districts: Gary Community School Corporation (Dr. Bernard C. Watson Boys K-6 Academy/Frankie Woods McCullough Girls K-6 Academy), South Bend Community Schools (Riley High School), and Indianapolis Public Schools (Arsenal Tech and Emmerich Manual High School).

How the Partnerships Work

In contrast to traditional partnerships where knowledge is perceived to flow from academic experts to school personnel, school–IU partnerships are characterized by reciprocity and mutual benefit. Because partnering schools are located near IUPUI, IUSB, IUN, and IUPUC, the resources from those campuses can help support the partnership and Indiana University faculty can maintain frequent face-to-face interactions with the schools — often the most meaningful and productive type of communication in these partnerships. Each collaboratively developed action plan aligns with the corresponding local School Improvement Plan so that programs and initiatives work together to reinforce one another and improve student learning outcomes in meaningful and coherent ways. To learn more about how school-university partnerships form and function, read the profile of the center's partnership with the Gary Community School Corporation.

Extending the Partnerships

The center is continuing and expanding our current partnerships, as well as expanding to the four counties (Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, and Jackson) served by Columbus Area Career Connection (C4). C4 provides career and technical education to high school students in those four counties. The center also continues its partnership with the Monroe County Community School Corporation to support their new New Technology High School and Early College High School.