School/Business Partnerships

To create links between the business community and the school, community education encourages the development of school/business partnerships – a collaborative effort between school and business. A partnership is a mutually supportive arrangement between a business and a school in which the partners commit themselves to specific goals and activities to benefit students. Partnerships may involve business employees as tutors, coaches or guest lecturers in the partner schools; a business may or may not make material or monetary contributions, as well, but people resources are the most important. In successful partnerships, schools provide something to their partners in return; this may be intangible, such as good will, or a tangible benefit, such as use of school facilities or academic resources.

Successful partnerships also establish shared goals and well-defined objectives. The business may wish, for example, to support the mathematics or science program of a school. Together they work out activities that will implement their objectives. Once they are joined, partners should expect to stay together for a long time. Though the partnership may change and evolve, commitment and continuity are essential for success, especially when dealing with youngsters in the elementary and secondary schools.

It is important for prospective school/business partners to understand partnerships do not live by good will alone. These efforts demand hard work and constant nourishment. Well-constructed partnerships between schools and businesses are a good response to concerns Americans have about education. In a complex and interrelated world, it is becoming clear that energy and resources from the whole community are needed if schools are to succeed in educating all youngsters.

A resource that might provide helpful information is The Council for Corporate and School Partnerships.