When seeking to expand community partnerships, what is a key initial step?

• A. Establish clear goals linked to student outcomes.
• B. Hire a full-time community liaison.
• C. Expand facility hours before partnerships.
• D. Increase tuition fees for families.

Answer: (A)

Starting with clear goals tied to student outcomes gives direction and purpose to any partnership effort. When you define what you want students to achieve—such as improved reading proficiency, higher attendance, or expanded access to STEM opportunities—you can identify which community partners can best contribute those resources, and you can set measurable targets to track progress. This alignment also helps communicate value to families and potential partners, building trust and securing buy-in.

If you jump to hiring a full-time liaison, expanding facility hours, or increasing tuition before clarifying outcomes, those steps lack a focus on how partnerships will impact students and how success will be measured. Establishing outcomes first creates a practical roadmap: determine needs, set SMART objectives, then map to partners whose strengths address those goals.