EHE News
In first year, 700 Ohio State students study at Schoenbaum Family Center at Weinland Park
Catalyst for change
One of the Schoenbaum Family Center at Weinland Park's greatest achievements during its first year of operation was demonstrating how a catalyst brings together partners from human services, business/industry, and university to serve children and families, sometimes in configurations rarely seen.
A diversity of children. A rare funding model exists in the preschool classrooms of the A. Sophie Rogers Laboratory for Child and Family Studies at the center. Children funded by CDC Head Start, Columbus City Schools, and individual families are all taught in the same rooms instead of being segregated in separate classrooms, as is customary in similar programs throughout the city and country. The result is a socioeconomic and ethnic diversity of children that scholars say is optimal for high-quality child development and education, as well as for research.
A diversity of teachers. The preschool teachers are funded by CDC Head Start, Columbus City Schools, and the university. All collaborate, finding commonalities in their teaching and learning from their differences. The university teachers say the Head Start and CCS teachers have helped the center be accepted in the neighborhood and helped them learn more about serving families in poverty communities.
"One of our greatest accomplishments this year has been settling into a neighborhood off campus and establishing positive relationships with the community," said Michele Sanderson, program coordinator for the laboratory school. "It's an essential beginning that builds the community's trust in our interest and involvement."
A hub for community activity. On Aug. 16, the Weinland Park Civic Association held its annual Weinland Park Festival at the Schoenbaum Family Center. This year, there was free food, children's and youth activities, performances and rededication of a nearby park by the City of Columbus. The center participates in many such events and community activities, building stronger relationships between university and community.
Howard Goldstein describes his plans for innovative research.
A center for innovative research. On Aug. 11, the center officially welcomed nationally recognized professor Howard Goldstein, who is leading its research initiative. His arrival is the first step in building a cadre of experts to form a premier research center focused on improving the lives of children and families in challenged neighborhoods. Goldstein is in top tier of researchers specializing in early childhood speech and language disorders and special education. The college is laying the groundwork for national achievement and positive social change.
A model program for training university students. During this first year, university students have benefited from the expanded learning opportunities available at the center, especially the 600 enrolled in the Department of Human Development and Family Science. They conduct observations using the center's network of unobtrusive viewing galleries above each classroom.
Low enrollment turnover. The Weinland Park Elementary School next to the center says it experiences almost a 100 percent turnover in enrollment during a typical year due to families' lack of stable housing.
"The center was prepared to experience high turnover, but it hasn't happened," said Michele Sanderson. "The majority of children who enroll, stay enrolled. We are providing an additional source of high-quality early childhood programming to fulfill the need identified by the neighborhood."
Successful transition to kindergarten. All the four-year-olds in the program who turned five and were eligible to enter kindergarten at Weinland Park Elementary have made a smooth transition. The center is helping to decrease the high number of children documented by Columbus City Schools as not being ready for kindergarten.
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