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MCS-BSU Partnership

The image displays the logos of Muncie Community Schools and Ball State University, along with the text %22A Unique Partnership%22 indicating a collaborative relationship between the two educational institutions.
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A woman in a black shirt and jeans stands in the foreground, gesturing and speaking to a group of people in the background, who appear to be students or attendees at an event or conference.
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Partnership History

In July 2018, Muncie Community Schools (MCS) and Ball State University (BSU) entered into a historic partnership to transform Muncie’s education system. The plan  relies on close collaboration with local businesses, nonprofit service providers, community-based foundations, Muncie leaders, MCS families and the district’s students, teachers, administrators, support staff and volunteers.

This collaboration involves the interplay between both the aspirations of our community for civic engagement, economic vitality, quality of life and the assets of our families, community and schools. It also addresses one of the driving tenets of our work: culturally responsive practices that reflect and respect our students and families. We will transform the culture of our district by ensuring that struggling learners are not seen as problems or distractions, but recognized for their strengths so we can best serve them.

To guide this effort, Ball State appointed a diverse and engaged MCS Board of Trustees in order to develop one of the nation’s most transformational urban public education systems. Over time, our students will thrive in an inclusive, equitable, safe and effective educational environment that prepares them to compete locally and globally. Assisting in this transformation is a Community Engagement Council (CEC) that supports the board's mission by acting as advocate, volunteer coordinator and fundraiser.  For more about this one of-a-kind partnership, please visit bsu.edu/muncie-community-schools.

Better Together

Another unique aspect of this partnership is the decision by Ball State President Geoffrey Mearns to designate a liaison from the BSU Office of Teacher Education Services and Clinical Practice to work in MCS buildings, making each one a Professional Development School (PDS). These PDS Liaisons teach and support MCS teachers in a variety of ways, which are chronicled in  the OTES-CP Newsletter, under Additional Resources.

Research Design Studio

The Research Design Studio - primarily a network of volunteer BSU grad students with interest and experience in research and led by BSU Psychology Professor Dr. Jerrell Cassady - supports MCS, Grissom Elementary School and the Muncie YMCA with their collaborative implementation of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant through the "Grissom Gold" after school program. The goal is to enhance students' academics, physical and emotional health and social and emotional learning skills. Each year, a Local Evaluation Report charts the progress of the students in this program. That report, and more information, can be found here.