CALSA's Summer Institute 2026

At a time when schools nationwide are grappling with unprecedented challenges, including intensified chronic absence and widening achievement gaps, many states are looking to community schools as an approach to improve student learning and well-being. California has responded with an historic $4.1 billion investment to transform schools into community hubs that support students and families through the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP).


Additionally, the Governor has proposed one billion dollars in ongoing funding for Community Schools. 


This session will provide an overview of LPI's report—Community Schools Impact on Student Outcomes: Evidence From California as well as discussion with policy experts regarding the proposed investments and rollout. 


In just their first full year of implementation, schools in the study that were either newly implementing or expanding community school approaches showed consistently positive impacts on student outcomes across multiple areas:
Improved Test Scores
Reduced Chronic Absence
Reduced Suspension Rates
Largest Gains Among Historically Underserved Students