SR0727 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0727 LRB095 21505 NHT 51179 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, This State is committed to providing its children and youth the educational opportunities they need to succeed academically and grow up to be productive Illinois citizens; and

WHEREAS, Illinois schools are facing incredible and ever increasing demands on their limited financial resources to address the academic, emotional, and social needs of their students; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of schools in rural, suburban, and urban Illinois communities have started to engage in dialogue with their community stakeholders to identify and engage community and other resources to meet the growing needs of Illinois students and the schools they attend; and

WHEREAS, Community engagement, together with school efforts, promotes a school climate that is safe, supportive, and respectful and connects students to a broader learning community; and

WHEREAS, Greater student success, stronger families, and healthier communities are achieved when public schools knit together inventive and enduring relationships among educators, families, volunteers, and community partners; and

WHEREAS, Resources and benefits flow to both the school and the community when community partners are providing on-site support and opportunities for students, their families, and their neighbors; and

WHEREAS, Available research suggests that a community engaged with the local school plays a powerful role in community building; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the State Superintendent of Education shall appoint a task force on community partnerships to recommend strategic steps to establish effective community partnerships with local schools and to accomplish the following outcomes: (i) to leverage existing local resources in support of children in attaining education, (ii) to improve social and physical health and safe after-school opportunities, (iii) to build sustainable partnerships between local community stakeholders and schools, and (iv) to develop knowledge and understanding among partners and across disciplines to better understand each other's expertise, resources, and constraints; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the task force shall include representatives from a statewide organization representing community engagement in schools, community-based health and social service agencies, family support groups, institutions of higher education, youth development organizations, youth services agencies, local governmental units, community groups, local business leaders, parents, local school staff and administrators, the State Board of Education, and other appropriate State agencies, all working around the common goal of creating necessary conditions for all children to learn at their best; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the task force shall meet initially at the call of the State Superintendent of Education and shall select two co-chairpersons from among its members at its first meeting; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the task force shall file a report of its findings and recommendations with the General Assembly, the Governor, and the State Board of Education before the end of the 95th General Assembly, and that upon filing its report the task force is dissolved; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the State Superintendent of Education, the chairperson of the State Board of Education, and the Governor.