Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties: A Collaborative Approach to Educational Success
The Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties is a unique educational subdivision in the Omaha metro area, structured to improve educational outcomes through collaboration among eleven-member school districts and community partners. This collaboration focuses on shared learning and continuous program improvement, with rigorous accountability from independent evaluations ensuring data-informed value in funded programs.
Addressing the Growing Need
Family needs are increasing across the two-county Omaha metro area, with childhood poverty growing faster than the student population. Poverty is spreading and now impacts the majority of school districts in the area. Across 11 school districts, 44% of children are eligible for free or reduced lunch.
The Mission and Vision
The goal of the Learning Community is to enable every child within the Learning Community to achieve academic success without regard to social or economic circumstance. The Learning Community Foundation expands and augments successful programs of the Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties. Together, the overarching goal is to close the opportunity gap.
Programs and Initiatives
The Learning Community implements various programs and initiatives aimed at improving educational outcomes and supporting families. These include:
2-Gen Approach
The Learning Community strongly believes in a 2-Gen approach, with signature programs taking place at its Learning Community Centers in North and South Omaha.
Read also: Understanding PLCs
Early Childhood Initiative
The Learning Community partners with the Buffett Early Childhood Institute on a pioneering early childhood initiative across all eleven districts, working with families, teachers, and caregivers of children from birth through Grade 3. This initiative is centered around a "school as hub" model, with local elementary schools serving as hubs for this Learning Community supported program.
Parent University
The Learning Community invites families from northeast Omaha neighborhoods to join Parent University. Parent University families who pursue homeownership often experience positive outcomes. Parent University builds on the idea that families can take simple steps to get involved.
College Prep for Families
College Prep for Families introduces families to the higher education experience through presentations, campus tours, and access to resources.
Mujeres y Valores Program
Parent University is proud to announce the launch of the “Mujeres y Valores” program, a new initiative designed to empower Spanish-speaking mothers to become advocates for themselves and their children.
Learning Community Centers
Dina Lopez and her 5-year-old daughter, Hazel, have both benefited from the programs offered by the Learning Community Center of South Omaha. At the Learning Community Center of North Omaha, student achievement is celebrated.
Read also: Learning Resources Near You
Other Programs and Support
The Learning Community Foundation has provided support to families through initiatives like providing diapers, wipes, and formula for their youngest family members. The Backpack Project provided 200 books in 100 backpacks for the pre-school children at the Centers.
Community Engagement and Leadership
The Learning Community actively engages community members in its work. Monica R. Wells is the new Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy County. The Learning Community also appoints members to various subcouncils and coordinating councils.Examples include:
- Amy Scott appointed to Coordinating Council Achievement Subcouncil 4.
- Sharnelle Shelton appointed to Coordinating Council Achievement Subcouncil 2.
- Bradley Ekwerekwu and Brian Thommes, Subcouncil 1; Mark Hoeger and Melinda Kozel, Subcouncil 3 and Anayeli Martinez-Real, Subcouncil 5
Challenges and Controversies
The Learning Community has faced challenges and controversies, including debates over funding and partnerships.
State Board Rejection
The State Board of Education rejected a learning community plan for Omaha-area schools in a 4-4 vote after postponing the vote for two months. This community achievement plan is a collaboration with the Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties and 11 Omaha-area school districts, including Omaha, Ralston, Millard, and Papillion La Vista.
Concerns Over OneWorld Partnership
Three of the registered Republicans on the board expressed concerns with OneWorld Community Health Centers, one of the partners involved in the plan. Their concern was that the organization provides transgender health care outside of its work with the learning community.
Read also: Learning Civil Procedure
Clarification on Funding
The learning community added a clarification to the plan outlining that “no learning community resources - including state funding or levy funds - may be used to provide, support, subsidize, or reimburse gender-affirming medical care, reproductive health care services, prescription medications, or any clinical medical procedures.”
Concerns About Student Achievement
Board member Tegtmeier expressed concerns about the whole plan, saying she didn’t see improvements in student achievement since the last time the plan came to the board. She specifically pointed to English language arts and math scores with Omaha Public Schools.
Accountability and Evaluation
The Learning Community emphasizes rigorous accountability through independent evaluations of all funded programs, ensuring that programs demonstrate proven, data-informed value. Evaluation equity is essential for greater impact in education.
The Economic Imperative
The crisis of student achievement is now an economic imperative. Confronting the growing skills gap is essential to build a strong, diverse workforce. The Learning Community aims to address this challenge by improving educational outcomes and preparing students for future success.
Impact and Reach
The lives of more than 16,000 adults and children across 11 school districts are being positively impacted by Learning Community programming.
tags: #learning #community #of #douglas #and #sarpy
