In 2005, the Daniels Fund researched best practices for successful school-business partnerships. Researchers reviewed more than 40 Web sites; interviewed nearly 40 educators, business leaders and partnership experts; and conducted focus groups of principals, business representatives and district stakeholders in Denver, Colorado, where the Daniels Fund is headquartered. This research led to the identification of seven strategies for success of school-business partnerships.

Some examples of best practices for successful partnerships follow:

Focusing on Student Achievement
In Jackson, Mississippi, partners must choose projects that have an impact on student achievement. Partners may select three or more areas of focus, including academic improvement support, student incentives/recognition, career awareness, character development, teacher or adopter appreciation, community service and school improvement plan.

In Denver, the law firm of Hogan & Hartson partnered with nearby Cheltenham Elementary. The school faces high poverty rates, low academic performance and a student population that is largely made up of English language learners. Hogan & Hartson provided literacy tutors and pledged $10,000 to the school to help fund a well-liked reading program that was on the budget chopping block. The firm even paid to fly in a literacy consultant to train staff.

Recruiting Partners
In Granite, Utah, the program began with the governor sending an invitation to 600 top business leaders. Each leader who attended received a brochure and a packet, and the governor spoke about the reasons for the partnership program. By the end of the meeting, 125 businesses had signed up to form partnerships.

Special Events
In Memphis Tennessee, district leaders hold an annual CEO Principal for a Day. Top-level business and government leaders are honorary principals and the program gets high-profile media coverage. The district conducts a pre- and post-perception evaluation of school leadership with the CEOs.

Partnership Activities
The Annapolis, Maryland, Symphony Orchestra Adopt-a-School program puts professional musicians in string music classes monthly to develop students’ skills and encourage participation in the strings program. The program culminates in an annual Side by Side Concert, where the students perform with the professional musicians.

The Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society places physician and medical student volunteers in local schools to augment preventative health education.