What is a common barrier to school/community partnerships?

Lack of awareness is a significant barrier to establishing effective school/community partnerships because it inhibits stakeholders from understanding the benefits and opportunities that such collaborations can provide. When educators, parents, and community members are unaware of how they can enrich each other's strengths and resources, potential synergies are lost. Partnerships rely heavily on effective communication and shared knowledge; without awareness of needs, resources, and opportunities, potential partners may not see the value in collaboration or may lack the information necessary to engage effectively.

Furthermore, awareness involves understanding the goals, mission, and specific needs of both the school and the community. This understanding is essential to nurture relationships and ensure that partnerships are mutually beneficial. If parents, community organizations, and educators are not aware of each other’s activities, capabilities, and objectives, the chance of forming impactful partnerships diminishes significantly.