PITTSBURGH LEARNING COLLABORATIVE

The Pittsburgh Learning Collaborative (PLC) exists as a regional hub for providing students and families with what they need to succeed in school through its Every Kid, Every School, Every Day campaign.

Every Kid needs a reason to go - through in and out of school programs, tutoring opportunities, literacy programs, and overall readiness options.
Every School needs the resources to give these students a reason to learn in a welcoming and engaging environment.
Every Day needs to be accessible through transportation, safety, food security, and family engagement.

These core concepts establish the PLC’s ecosystem of dedicated partners committed to the betterment and wellbeing of our region’s families.

Read about the origins of the PLC here

We serve as a hub of resources and coordinated assets. Working with and leveraging the relationships of existing community organizations, we identify issues and needs of families, coordinate community-based distribution of existing resources and information, identify and apply local and national best practices, and work collaboratively to develop and implement new solutions where needed.

INVESTING IN WHAT WORKS

With over 100 organizations dedicated to the common goal of holistic support for students and their families, the PLC is focused and committed to end chronic absenteeism through collaboration with organizations across an entire ecosystem:

OUR FOCUS

PREPARED STUDENTS

Kids need a reason to go school - through out of school programs, tutoring opportunities, literacy programs, and overall readiness options your contributions help put an end to chronic absenteeism. Join this group to learn more about how regional organizations are putting kids first, how you can adapt best practices, and take action on specific topics to support kids and their needs.

EMPOWERED SCHOOLS

Schools need resources to give students a reason to learn in a welcoming and engaging environment - But what role do you and your organization play? Join this group for up to date information on school services and initiatives, to discuss school supports, and learn ways in which you can make a direct impact on schools and chronic absenteeism.

CONNECTED COMMUNITIES

Communities and Families need access to transportation, safety, food security, health, housing, and engaging family services. Join this group to unify knowledge on community and family supports, learn how local organizations can bolster community and family ecosystems, and discuss strategies/best practices to ensure we are all working together to tackle chronic absenteeism.

ADDITIONAL FOCUS AREAS

Alongside the essential work done within school districts and through engaging programming, there is a role for governments, authorities, healthcare systems, and advocates in ending chronic absenteeism:

HEALTHCARE An estimated 14 million school days lost due to asthma. Chronic illness management, dental care, and regular checkups can all help to increase student health and prevent absences.

TRANSPORTATION About 42% of Black families don’t have regular access to a car in Pittsburgh. Removing barriers and providing access to a variety of transit options can support families and prevent absences.

HOUSING Nationally, 87% of students who experienced homelessness during the last school year were chronically absent. With clear access to family resources and supports, collaboration around housing can prevent absences.

SAFE STREETS Students experience real barriers in route to school - uneven sidewalks, violence & distractions. In partnership with municipalities and the City of Pittsburgh, clear sidewalks and safe routes to school and prevent absences.

PLC PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

We are community organizations, educators, non-profits, and funders working together to make the collective best use of our region’s expertise and resources to eliminate inequities facing students.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We know this is a lot of information! We've pulled together some quick answers to frequently asked questions about the Pittsburgh Learning Collaborative. Click here to access the FAQ's.
And don't hesitate to contact us with other questions you might have!

MEDIA INQUIRIES

For media inquiries about the Pittsburgh Learning Collaborative, please contact us at plc@aplusschools.org.