University-Assisted Community Schools (2025-2026)

This team examined how universities can strengthen partnerships with public schools through the community schools model, better preparing students for meaningful engagement with K-12 education. 

Working as the Durham University-Assisted Community Schools Research Collective, the team collaborated with the North Carolina Community Schools Coalition to explore topics including the skills and strategies needed for effective community school coordination, factors influencing the adoption of a community schools model, health workforce preparation in rural communities, the impact of statewide teach-ins and how community schools are framed in policy discussions across conservative-leaning states.

Students, faculty and staff from Duke University and North Carolina Central University conducted research to support the expansion and effectiveness of community schools across North Carolina. Team members gathered and analyzed data from practitioners, educators and policy documents to identify best practices for community school implementation, leadership and stakeholder engagement. The research produced practical resources and recommendations that can help schools, districts and community partners strengthen local decision-making, improve collaboration and better meet the needs of students and families.

The team also contributed to efforts to expand the university-assisted community schools model throughout the Southeast. Findings were shared through publications, presentations and collaborations with practitioners across the state and region, helping to inform professional development, policy discussions and future community school initiatives. By connecting university research with the needs of public schools, the project strengthened the capacity of community school leaders and advanced more equitable, community-centered approaches to education.

See the related Data+ project for Summer 2025; there is a separate application process for students who are interested in this optional component.

Timing 

Fall 2025 – Spring 2026

Team Outputs

Durham University-Assisted Community Schools (Poster presentation at the Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Showcase, April 15, 2026)

Community Schools Teach-Ins (Project report)

School Selection: Identifying Counterfactuals to North Carolina Community Schools (Presentation to North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC)

When Messaging Meets Politics: The Fight for Community Schools and the Road Ahead for North Carolina (Slide presentation)

In Their Own Words, Volume 1, Episode 1: The Journey (Video, 2026)

See related Data+ project, Building Stronger Communities: The Evolution of Funding in North Carolina Public Education, and related teams, University-Assisted Community Schools (2024-2025) and University-Assisted Community Schools (2026-2027).

This Team in the News

Student Reflection: Angelie Quimbo (Political Science ’26)

_{Image: Team members in Baltimore for a site visit to a community school}