Who We Are
CCSP Staff Photo - Renee, Kindra, Andee, Vajra, Adriana, Rocio, Michele, Bel, Jeff, Lenora, Joanne, Nancy, John
Through Community School Partnerships (CSP), the Center for Cooperative Research and Extension Services in Schools (CRESS) promotes student success, youth well-being, and equitable, just communities for all of California's learners by cultivating pathways between communities and their schools. Our work centers on research, evaluation, and technical assistance, connecting schools and communities to support student success, youth well-being, and collaborative community school partnerships.
At the core of our work is a commitment to closing the achievement gap, closing the gap between research and practice, and heeding the order to leave no child behind in rural, suburban, and urban communities. Fundamentally, this is about equity. Equity is a call to action for districts, schools, families, and universities alike; significant disparities can be alleviated, and this monumental task demands partnership, cooperation, and prioritization.
Our work is informed by what is happening in the field of community schools at the national, state, and local levels. An examination of the successes and challenges of people working in community school partnerships through the national and state policy framework has allowed us to develop practical and workable solutions, applicable to a variety of communities and situations.
What We Do
Headed by Director Renee Newton, CSP is a diverse team of professionals invested in strengthening community school partnerships through direct work with youth and community-based leaders, technical assistance and advice to a statewide network of after school program providers and Healthy Start service providers.
Technical Assistance
We have over sixteen years of experience providing consultation and technical assistance for local, regional, and statewide groups. We provide direct technical assistance and training in areas common to the full-service community schools approach: expanded learning opportunities, health services, family support and engagement, school infrastructure to support collaboration, and systems to gather and analyze data.
Field Research and Program Evaluation
Our base in the school of Education at UC Davis provides us with significant research and evaluation capabilities. CSP works closely with UC Davis faculty and CRESS professional staff to design and conduct field research and program evaluations. Using an applied research model, we work closely with community and school partners to evaluate their work for the purpose of identifying effective best practices in the field. What we learn from the field often results in the development of useful tools, training materials, training sessions, and other resources.