Family
Resource Schools, Denver, Colorado
The Family Resource Schools are seven schools in Denver, Colorado, that use site-based management and community partnerships for the delivery of human services to children and adults. They provide traditional academic support programs for students as well as family-focused programs for adults. According to Trujillo (1993-1994), the schools "aim to increase students' academic achievement though enriching the academic program and removing noneducational barriers to learning" (p. 34). Each school has developed summer programs for students and has expanded its hours during the day to accommodate parent and community involvement.
At the Family Resource Schools, emphasis is placed on the role of the principal in sharing power with teachers and parents, providing teachers sufficient time and professional development to perform their new responsibilities, and preparing school staff for changes that inevitably will occur when a school becomes part of a collaborative.
Each school has a collaborative decision-making team comprised of teachers, the principal, office and building staff, parents and families, neighborhood volunteers, and business representatives. Each school also has a site coordinator who implements and manages the programs and coordinates school, parent, and community outreach.
The schools provide the following services:
