The keys to improving partnerships The keys to improving school-business
partnerships can be broken down into five areas: listen, think, plan, act
and review.
Listen
School representatives who listen learn about the types of resources that
businesses can bring to the table. Business representatives who listen
learn the needs of school and how to work with educators to improve
schools. By listening, educators can learn the interests and capabilities
of business representatives, and by listening, business representatives
can learn what are the true needs of their partner school.
Think
After truly listening, then committee members should spend a little time
brainstorming. They should look at what they’ve done previously (if
they’re an experienced partnership) or start out with a blank sheet of
paper (if they’re a new partnership). By considering the capabilities and
needs of each partner during the brainstorming session, partnerships can
develop a plan of action that meets the needs of both parties. A truly
effective partner-ship looks for new and innovative ways of working
together. When brainstorming, each partner should focus on
activities that require little or no monetary support. When money becomes
the focus of a partnership, then other more meaningful activities are
often overlooked. Business partners may contribute dollars occasionally,
but normally these contributions should be initiated by the business.
Plan
After brainstorming, then it’s time to develop a plan for the school year.
Objectives should be established and followed throughout the year. A way
of evaluating the effectiveness of every activity should be a central part
of every plan. The plan should spread the workload over as many people as
possible to ensure that one or two people aren’t doing all of the work.
Partners with few employees should schedule activities throughout the
school year to ensure that they don’t experience burnout.
Act
After the plan is established, an effective partnership works
enthusiastically to improve the school. Smiles are on the faces of all
participants because they know that they are making a difference.
Camaraderie is established among students, employees, teachers, school
staff and parents.
Review
An effective partnership regularly reviews and critiques activities to
correct problems and looks for ways to make them better. The first
question after every activity should be, “How can we make this better?” As
part of the review, the partnership should evaluate the effectiveness of
the activity, examining such vital factors as participation and impact on
student learning.
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