K - 12 Partnerships: Basic Resources

The ability to find specific information on any subject within minutes of thinking about the topic has expanded the universe for educators seeking to create external relationships. Policy makers and grant writers are able to identify partnership activities that are being offered by corporations, philanthropic foundations, educational institutions and governmental agencies without having to resort to tedious research work. The information is available and accessible - the offering organizations are eager to hear from you. In fact, many corporations will invite you to contact them directly through their Web site to examine partnering programs.

Today you can visit a foundation's Web site, learn about its funding priorities, get information on eligibility and application requirements, take a look at programs that are being funded, apply on line and receive feedback and confirmations within days. This certainly beats doing basic research by paper and allows you to narrowly select potential partners based on mutual requirements.

So, whether you're just starting out, or are experienced at creating projects that reach beyond your schools - spend some time on the Web.

Process Activities
An idea is fragile. The path to success starts with a simple clearly stated vision/idea.

As you approach potential partners, you must be able to clearly answer questions about your goals, your resources, your needs, the benefits to be derived, the costs and the method to determine success.

There are organizations that exist to help you identify, design, build, operate and evaluate school partnerships. A Web visit to New Jersey Association of Partners in Education http://www.njapie.org will start you on a venture that will lead to information that can be tailored to your needs.

By the way, be sure to visit the Web sites of all of NJAPIE's member organizations - they may be looking for your idea.

There are other resources that are offered by chambers of commerce, professional business associations and schools of business. All are eager for you to visit them on the Web.

Subject Area Searches
Start with the broadest theme of your idea.

If you want to create a wellness partnership to help your students learn about the importance of healthy lifestyles, you should probably start with a cyber-visit to local hospitals, colleges (from your local community college to the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey), commercial health care providers/suppliers, pharmaceutical companies or offices within government. The most enlightened among these potential partners are looking for what you represent - an opportunity to work toward a common goal with eager students. The win-win philosophy becomes evident as partners dedicate themselves to a successful outcome.

If wellness is your issue - check out http://www.healthynj.org

Want to create a partnership having your students help seniors in the community learn how to use the Internet? Check out http://www.seniornet.org

One of the wonders of the Internet is that the more obscure your interest, the more powerful the tool becomes. At the same time it is important to remember that while the Internet is a remarkable tool, common sense with respect to the credibility of the information or of an organization as a whole must always be considered - the same as in the world of ink and paper.

Geographic Searches
You might not have a clear idea about the specific goals of your proposed partnership - you might not even have thought of a subject area. All you know is that it is important for students and staff that you reach beyond the school walls to expose them to some outside thinking.

Start with your town. A quick look at http://www.state.nj.us gets you direct links to cities and towns throughout the state. Once you find the area with the most promise, you can select businesses, schools, nonprofit agencies or units of government that are linked directly to that Web site. You're only a click away from the home page of an interested partner. The Web makes it simple to do the basic research regarding who's nearby and what they're funding.

With the heightened interest in New Jersey's Cross Content Workplace Readiness Standards, you might want to check out your home county's Workforce Investment Board (WIB) to identify companies that are seeking partnerships, internships or are interested in directly funding your idea. To locate the WIBs, check out http://www.state.nj.us/labor

The Internet has effectively redefined how research is accomplished and how partnerships are formed. It does not, however, diminish the importance of some basic partnership elements.

Whether formed by an Internet introduction or through old-fashioned networking, a successful partnership will exhibit the following characteristics:

-A trusting and open relationship is evident among all partners.
-Goals are clearly stated.
-Ideas are openly discussed and the partners work toward consensus.
-All activities are undertaken in a professional manner.
-Accountability and evaluation of outcomes are always discussed.
-A clear communications plan is developed.
-All partners share in the glory of success.

Good luck!

8-03 - New Jersey Association of Partners in Education

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