“This evidence-based organization will be an asset to our district due to their training and experience with working with students and parents to increase attendance and eliminate barriers to school success,” Chris Hecker, assistant superintendent for secondary school leadership, said at the CFISD board work session May 1.
What it means
Communities in Schools serves over 1 million students in Texas, Hecker said. The nonprofit organization has regional branches, including one in Houston, that can tailor their services to best meet the needs of local districts, Hecker said.
Nationally, 99% of students involved in the program remained in school all year during 2022-23, according to data from a CFISD presentation. In addition to attendance improvements, specialists working on CFISD campuses will target academic assistance and behavioral interventions.
The program has been approved by the Texas Education Agency with funding partially covered by the Texas Legislature. Campus-level Title One funding—federal funding distributed to campuses where a high percentage of students are economically disadvantaged—will cover the district's portion of the costs, district officials said.
Communities in Schools specialists will serve students with parental consent in partnership with campus principals.
"This person is on campus every day. ... This is someone who's going to build relationships with the students, with the staff and the administration," Hecker said.
