Education-Business-Community Partnerships

The National Alliance of Business (1987) describes five levels of education-business-community partnerships and lists appropriate activities for each:

Level 1: Policy

Effective partnerships could include the following activities:

• "National or State Legislative Task Force or Lobbying
• Political Action Committees
• Serving on State Legislatures, State Job Training Coordinating Committees, Private Industry Councils, School Boards, City Councils
• Providing Testimony, Speeches, Leadership Meetings
• Publishing Policy Statements, Reports
• Conducting Broad Public Information Campaigns" (p. 18)

Level 2: Systemic Educational Improvement.

Effective partnerships could include the following activities:

• "Community Compacts, Contracts, Investment Plans, Alliances, Consortia
• Activities Implemented by Chambers of Commerce or Other Major Business Organizations or Associations
• Development and Dissemination of Publications, Research, Demonstrations, Evaluations
• Technical Assistance, Brokering, Networking, Facilitating Roles" (p. 18)

Level 3: Management.

Effective partnerships could include the following activities:

• "Providing management support and business expertise through Adopt-A-School or others
• Strategic Planning and Goal Setting
• Management Information Systems
• Personnel Management and Development
• Legal, Insurance, Finance, Accounting, and Tax Assistance
• Organization Development
• Performance Standards and Productivity
• School Building Management, Physical Plant Improvement
• Computer or Equipment Purchasing" (p. 18)

Level 4: Professional Development.

Effective partnerships could include the following activities:

• "Classes, Conferences, Seminars, Workshops, Institutes, Retreats, Inservice Training
• Internships or Faculty-Executive Exchanges
• Outside Training and Development
• Visits to Other Schools, Corporations
• Orientations to the Labor Market, World of Work, New Technological Advances
• On-site Consultations
• Grants for Supplemental Training or Sabbaticals
• Temporary Employment of School Professionals in Business
• Activities often provided through Adopt-A-School Programs" (p. 18)

Level 5: Classroom.

Effective partnerships could include the following activities:

• "Role Models, Mentoring, Tutoring of Students
• Serving as Teachers, Guest Lecturers
• Sponsoring Field Trips, Extracurricular Activities
• Providing Career-Specific Materials, Curricula
• Providing Remediation or Computer-Assisted Instruction
• Participating in Adopt-A-School Programs" (p. 18)

Level 6: Special Services.

• "Awards, Recognition Programs, Scholarships, or Other Incentives
• Fund-raising, Hosting Receptions
• Donating or Sharing Equipment or Educational Material
• Sponsoring Career or Book Fairs
• Sponsoring Student Teams, Clubs, Trips, or Activities
• Providing Financial Support for Specific Projects
• Participating in Adopt-A-School Programs" (p. 18)

References