Abstract

The purpose of our paper is to investigate the possible benefits of the interaction between inner city schools and their surrounding communities. We examined the literature on these relationships with the goal of identifying community attributes which have the greatest impact on schools. Additionally, we looked at community partnerships with schools that have been beneficial to both school and community. We found that reform efforts in either sphere benefit the other, but for broad, lasting change to take root, both areas should be developed simultaneously. Schools and communities across the nation have taken advantage of this opportunity, and their success is apparent. Organizational efforts have provided residents and schools with services, knowledge, and opportunities that were previously unavailable to them, resulting in well-informed, politically-active, empowered communities and well-funded schools with more effective classrooms.