The AFT has been a partner in helping revitalize McDowell County, W.Va., for more than a year now, and those efforts are paying major dividends for the local education system. On Wednesday, the West Virginia Board of Education unanimously approved a community schools plan for McDowell County Public Schools. In a separate vote, the state board also voted to return the county's schools to local control. The board had taken control of the schools in an attempt to save them from the poor conditions the county was experiencing.
 

The community schools plan involves local organizations and agencies providing services coordinated at all county schools based on school and family needs. They tend to integrate academic intervention, extended learning, health and social services, family and early childhood support services, and parent and community engagement programs.

AFT President Randi Weingarten said establishing community schools was a big priority:

"The evidence is clear that community schools greatly improve disadvantaged children's chances of success because the services and programs help overcome the ravages of poverty that affect academic achievement. A variety of coordinated services will wrap around schools to ensure that all kids are healthy and ready to do well in school," Weingarten said. The McDowell community schools plan was based on programs being used successfully in schools across the country, most notably in Cincinnati and Syracuse, N.Y.

In March 2012, AFT helped lead a public-private partnership to help struggling McDowell County. Participants were hopeful things could be turned around economically and educationally. More than a year later, the Reconnecting McDowell project has begun to show that investment in communities can change people's lives.