Communications & K-12 Integration: Implementation
EXLD will improve communication with stakeholders via the EXLD website, listserv, social media, and other communication channels. EXLD will create a communication plan for reaching intended audiences with the desired messages and disseminate information in a timely manner. This initiative will also improve EXLD’s process for fielding and responding to questions from the field by prioritizing inquiries and putting in place systems to increase consistency in EXLD responses. Lastly, EXLD will enhance its efforts to strengthen field involvement by offering more engagement opportunities and effectively notifying the field of those opportunities.
This initiative will promote cohesion between the K-12 school day and Expanded Learning by building stakeholder understanding and intentional integration. The development of an Expanded Learning definition represents an essential first step towards this end. EXLD will work with field representatives to articulate the benefits of integration and to promote effective integration both statewide and at the national level. Desired outcomes of this work include a shared commitment to student-centered learning, professional development, decision-making, and funding between K-12 school day and Expanded Learning programs at the site/school, district, regional, and state levels.
Implementation Activities & Groups
Initial Implementation Activities
Communications/Information Systems -
- EXLD created Facebook and Twitter accounts to increase accessibility and opportunities to communicate with the field. (Goal 3.1)
- The strategic planning process itself directly played a role in increasing communication between EXLD and the field and supplying numerous opportunities for the field to provide feedback to the ASD. (Objective 3.3.2)
Expanded Learning/K-12 Integration -
- EXLD has increasingly engaged with and presented to various K-12 entities, both within the California Department of Education as well as within the larger education community, to promote the importance of Expanded Learning and discuss the integral role of Expanded Learning opportunities in a child’s education. (Objective 4.1.2)
Comms & K-23 Integration -
- Particular objectives (3.1.1 & 4.3.3) within the Communications and Expanded Learning/K-12 Integration Initiatives were combined to focus on message development for the California Expanded Learning community, targeting various K-12 stakeholders to promote Expanded Learning opportunities as an integral part of a child’s education. The EXLD, with funding support from S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, contracted with Communication Resources for Schools (CRS) to refine our communication skills and assist with message branding. CRS has a national reputation as one of the premier school public relations professionals in the country.