IN SEP TEMBER 2024, the community schools movement took a huge step forward with the launch of the National Community Schools Learning Lab, coordinated by Anaheim Secondary Teachers Assn. (ASTA) and the Anaheim Union High School District.

Four CTA locals participated in the inaugural two-day program, along with their district administrators, parents and community partners. Since then, many more teams — including from the Pacific Northwest and East Coast — have benefited from the Learning Lab, which shows community schools in action; discusses shared governance and ensuring all stakeholders have an equal voice; and unpacks individual teams’ unique needs, assets and path forward.

NEA President Becky Pringle steps off the bus with CTA Board Member Grant Schuster on her visit to Anaheim community schools.

In April, NEA President Becky Pringle participated in a Learning Lab program, at one point speaking to all attendees. “Whatever you might think of the curtailment of other civil rights, you must fight to the last ditch to keep open the right to learn,” she said, quoting activist W.E.B. DuBois.

Our union is committed to community schools’ democratic model of shared decision making, which helps build power within communities and leads to a more equitable society. Community schools have been shown to improve student outcomes, including in attendance, academic achievement, high school graduation rates and reduced racial and economic achievement gaps.

The Learning Lab is funded by NEA’s Great Public Schools initiative. The state has also made a historic investment of $4.1 billion to help create new community schools and transition traditional schools in California. Read more about our work with community schools at cta.org/communityschools.

Top photo caption: Teams of CTA local leaders, district administrators, parents and community partners discuss foundational components of community schools, such as shared decision-WHY WE CAN’T WAIT making and ensuring all stakeholders have an equal voice.

Learning Lab 2025–26 Dates

The National Community Schools Learning Lab’s 2025–26 two-day programs are scheduled as follows:
• Sept. 23–24
• Oct. 21–22
• Feb. 24–25
• March 17–18
• Apr. 21–22
For more information email Sean Fleshman, Learning Lab Lead, at ncslearninglab@gmail.com.