Type 2
Issue No. 20
Spring 2006

Emphasis on Sustainability of Programs Marks NNPS's 10th Anniversary Year

With its mission of "Working Together for Student Success," the National Network of Partnership Schools (NNPS) at Johns Hopkins University is celebrating its 10th anniversary as an active professional development organization. After years of basic research and field studies, NNPS was established in 1996 to guide schools, districts, state departments of education, and organizations in using research-based approaches to strengthen school, family, and community partnership programs that contribute to student learning and development.

NNPS started with about 230 schools, 35 districts, and 7 states, and has grown to include nearly 1000 schools, over 125 school districts, 17 state departments of education, and more than 60 organizations. "It has been an exciting journey," said Dr. Joyce Epstein, founder and director of NNPS. "In collaboration with members across the country, we have learned that family involvement need not be a matter of luck. Rather, programs can be well planned, involve all families, and focus on goals for student success."

Focus on Sustainability

To mark its anniversary, NNPS has selected sustainability as a theme for the year. Sustainability refers to developing and maintaining excellent programs, ensuring successful transitions if leaders change, increasing outreach to involve all families, and continually improving practices to produce better results for students. NNPS studies indicate that sustainability presents one of the most difficult challenges for all school improvement efforts, including school, family, and community partnerships.

The focus on sustainability will take several forms this year. NNPS charter states and districts that have sustained their programs since 1996 will be featured in the spring and fall issues of Type 2 (see Issues and Insights on p. 2). Ideas from NNPS award winners will also be featured in various columns of Type 2 and in monthly e-Briefs to all members. Workshops on maintaining high-quality programs will be offered at the NNPS Leadership Development Conference in October. Basic training will be provided in periodic web conferences to help new schools and districts organize their plans for partnerships. Advanced workshops, currently conducted at the annual conference, will also be options for on-site training for districts and schools that have mastered the basics of the NNPS model.

Looking Ahead

State and district policies on family and community involvement and specific requirements in No Child Left Behind make it more important than ever to organize research-based partnership programs linked to student achievement and success. Epstein noted, "NNPS is looking forward to the next five years of providing professional development that will assist states, districts, schools, and organizations to strengthen their expertise, leadership, and sustainable programs of school, family, and community partnerships."