Superintendent coalition aims to strengthen whole child supports

Representing a million students across 19 school districts, the inaugural cohort seeks to improve neighborhood-based “cradle-to-career” services.

K-12DIVE | By Kara Arundel | April 2, 2024

A national coalition of superintendents from 19 school districts launched a new fellowship to provide resources for school systems to address whole child supports, the group announced Tuesday.

The Place-Based Education Leaders Design Fellowship recently held its first convening to learn more about strengthening neighborhood-based “cradle-to-career” services in under-resourced communities. Specifically, the group is focusing on lifting the barriers of intergenerational poverty and gaps in wraparound services.

The coalition is led by the William Julius Wilson Institute at Harlem Children’s Zone in New York City. The institute provides resources to those aiming to open opportunities for social and economic mobility in neighborhoods throughout the nation.

“Through this experience, these leaders will have the opportunity to apply the lessons they’ve learned to create lasting, positive change in their communities and ensure that young people nationwide have access to the resources and support they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom,” said Geoffrey Canada, founder and president of Harlem Children’s Zone and founder of William Julius Wilson Institute, in a statement.

The no-cost, six-month fellowship is being conducted in partnership with The EdRedesign Lab at Harvard Graduate School of Education and Chiefs for Change. The inaugural fellowship includes district leaders from Boston Public Schools, Orange County Public Schools in Florida, Salt Lake City School District and Oakland Unified School District in California.