(a) As used in this section:

(1) “Community school” means a public school that participates in a coordinated, community-based effort with community partners to provide comprehensive educational, developmental, family, health and wrap-around services to students, families and community members.

(2) “Community partner” means a provider of one or more of the following services to students, families or community members: (A) Primary medical or dental care, (B) mental health treatment and services, (C) academic enrichment activities, (D) programs designed to improve student attendance at school, (E) youth development programs, (F) early childhood education, (G) parental involvement programs, (H) child care services, (I) programs that provide assistance to students who are truant or who have been suspended or expelled, (J) youth and adult job training and career counseling services, (K) nutrition education, (L) adult education, (M) remedial education and enrichment activities, (N) legal services, or (O) any other appropriate services or programs.

(b) On and after July 1, 2013, a local or regional board of education may designate an existing school or establish a new school to be a community school. Such community school shall collaborate with community partners to provide services to students, families and community members.

This policy guidance describes the responsibilities of the state department of education, school districts, schools, families, community leaders, and students to support the development of effective school-family-community partnership programs.

This position statement recommends the establishment of school-community partnerships to promote student success and describes characteristics of successful partnerships and six Standard to take a comprehensive approach.