1	OUCEC Inaugural Conference 2009 University Assisted Community Schools Linking Higher Education to High Schools for a Stronger Community Research Forum: A Regional Perspective in Diverse Communities Allyson L. Watson, PhD Panelist Associate Professor Educational Foundations & Leadership Northeastern State University
2	Commitment from NSU Leadership NSU College of Education Dean Kay Grant and the leadership team have supported this initiative and the concept of school-university partnerships is evident through collaborative efforts within the communities surrounding Tahlequah and Broken Arrow. NSU President, Dr. Don Betz and several key NSU leaders provide financial assistance to maintain a relationship between partner schools and the university.
3	Forming The Partnership Personal Commitment to K-12 Students Leaving the classroom to give back to the community. Sustainable Efforts for Teacher Preparation Systemic efforts and teacher preparation for all schools. Concentrated efforts on urban school teachers. Establish and Maintain Professional Development and Training from NSU Faculty NSU Minority Teacher Recruitment Task Force Oklahoma Institute for Learning Styles NSU Center for Excellence Obtaining Grants/Funding Resources Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education Office for Minority Recruitment , Dr. Christee Jenlink, Interim Dean NSU-BA US Department of Education LASER Grant for Developing Urban School Partnerships NSU Foundation and VP for University Relations donate funding for partnership projects.
4	Establishing the Partnerships Connect with school leaders within Tulsa Public Schools Identify areas of need where faculty could deliver in various schools: Tutoring Teaching Professional Development Mentorship Opportunities and Student Engagement Student Exposure and Engagement in University Settings
5	What We Are Doing… Educational Foundations & Leadership Celebration of Teaching, NSU-BA Annual KIPP First Day of School-NSU Tahlequah Students engage in college level classes with top NSU faculty. NSU Japanese Student Exchange Program Students serve as hosts/Mentors during a cultural session. Union Collegiate Academy-Union HS Seniors are taught for 3 week intervals by some of NSU’s top faculty members. Union ACE (Academic Commitment to Excellence) Minority Teacher Recruitment with TPS High Schools and Future Educators Association Chapters. Curriculum & Instruction Reading Clinic in Broken Arrow for on-site tutoring from practicing and developing reading specialists for selected K-5 students reading below grade level. On-site Graduate Courses in Reading-Union Public Schools, Dr. Stephen Sargent, Reading Clinic Director, Associate Professor School-University Visits NSU-BA Lewis & Clark Middle School, Dr. Pam Fly, Assistant Dean College of Education
6	Maintaining the Partnerships/Systemic Change Each College of Education faculty is committed to teaching and service in public schools for 10 hours or more per academic year. Service to our local community and civic engagement is at the forefront of our academic agenda. Each faculty member is given a mandate to carry out our conceptual framework. We are not only academicians, we are committed to the students we serve. We believe in reaching out to our communities by changing, cultivating, and educating the teachers and leaders in the K-12 schools, so the lives they touch are positively impacted.
7	Continuing the Partnership The K-12 Classroom through The College Doors This process is ongoing. We are currently developing longitudinal research regarding the first class of KIPP attendees who are now high school freshman. We are identifying indicators of academic success and areas for improvement within each partner school. Paired research with Allyson Watson and the OU-Tulsa Collaborative Team-Under Direction of Dr. Curt Adams, regarding Community School Engagement.