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What is the Rockland 21C Collaborative?
Rockland 21C, which was started in 1996, is a pioneering countywide coalition focused on the optimum development of children. It is comprised of Rockland County, New York’s eight school districts, Rockland BOCES early education and childcare centers, after-school programs, youth development and recreation programs, teachers' centers, colleges, government and business leaders, as well as more that 50 public and private agencies including social service organizations, health and mental health organizations, law enforcement, faith communities, and libraries. Rockland 21C evolved from the School of the 21st Century concept developed at Yale University, which is still a key partner.
Why was Rockland 21C created?
The growing numbers of two-parent working families, more families leaving public assistance, and the increased academic and social pressures in school, have all made suburban life more challenging for children and parents. Communities which “re-invent” schools as “Family Resource Centers” with affordable, quality preschool and after-school education and care, health and mental health services, and parent support and involvement programs, find that children are more successful academically, emotionally and socially. Research supporting these results led to the birth of this collaboration.
What is the 21st Century School concept and its relationship to Rockland 21C?
The School of the 21st Century is a model for school-based, school-linked childcare, health and family support services, developed at the Yale Bush Center in Child Development and Social Policy by Dr. Edward Zigler, a principal architect of the Head Start program. Visits to Yale by Rockland County leaders and educators to study the concept led to the Rockland Schools of the 21st Century network, which was the first 21st Century School countywide effort in the United States. Now over 20 elementary schools in seven of Rockland’s school districts, and BOCES, all have 21C Schools in operation. Two Rockland middle schools have implemented Family Resource Centers, while several additional Rockland middle schools are exploring this approach.
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How does Rockland 21C support the development of 21C schools and other child-centered partnerships?
Rockland 21C acts as a facilitator, convener, connector and technical assistance resource to its partners: by holding annual symposia and other professional development programs that bring a diverse group of child-centered professionals together; by convening teams working toward the common goals articulated in our Strategic Plan; by facilitating networking among partners; by helping partners find new financial resources or ways to combine resources; by developing new solutions to old problems; and by increasing community awareness about the needs of Rockland’s children.
Why have 21C schools and other community schools like them made a difference for children? - They increase parents and student satisfaction with the education
system
- They decrease the number of suspensions and violent incidents
- They increase parent involvement in their child's education
- They increase homework completion
- They increase student readiness for kindergarten
- They increase student and teacher attendance
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