The Native American Needs Assessment Action Plan is designed to assist educators and administrators in addressing the needs and areas of possible opportunity that have been identified through the annual Native American Needs Assessment conducted by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. The Action Plan is organized around areas of need…

Each edition of the "IDRA (Intercultural Development Research Association) Newsletter" strives to provide many different perspectives on the issues in education topics discussed and to define its significance in the state and national dialogue. This issue focuses on parent and community engagement and includes: (1) Community Conversations about…

Research studies in the past decade have shown that computer technology is an effective means for widening educational opportunities, but most teachers neither use technology as an instructional delivery system nor integrate technology into their curriculum. Studies reveal a number of factors influencing teachers' decisions to use ICT in the…

To find out attitudes toward public participation at school board meetings, interviews were conducted with 22 board members and 20 average citizens, mainly from small to medium size districts in 16 states. Findings reveal that everyone agreed the public should have an opportunity to air opinions at meetings. Opinions vary about how boards should…

The Minnesota Dialogue on Education project was a comprehensive statewide survey of public opinion on educational issues conducted by the Minnesota Department of Education from September 1983 through February 1984. The project involved dissemination of 250,000 copies of a Dialogue on Education Study Guide with a questionnaire attached, followed by…

This transcript of a hearing on minority participation in telecommunications includes the text of the bill, H.R. 155; a summary of the bill from the Congressional Record; and testimony and statements from both individuals and representatives of several organizations. Testimony was presented by: (1) Karen English, Chicago, Illinois; (2) Janice…

Questions "community architecture" as not being a discrete and homogeneous set of images about activities and products. Differentiates between the distinct, and possibly contradictory, approaches to architecture taken by Prince Charles of Great Britain and Rod Hackney. (TW)

The Surgeon General, the Nation's top public health officer, is appointed by the President of the United States to help protect and promote the health of the Nation. The recently published "Surgeon General's Call to Action To Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking" [ED496083] highlights underage alcohol use as a major public health and…

A study of Hispanic participation in administration of the 106 California community colleges (administered through district organizations) counted persons with Spanish surnames listed in the "Directory of California Community Colleges 1981-82" as participating in administration at district or college level. Hispanic administrators were…

This guide presents a model for developing a team planning approach for optimum community involvement in San Diego City Schools in order to promote quality integrated education. Following a brief introduction basic purposes, goals, and tasks for implementation are listed. Next, the model is outlined as a step-by-step process. For each major topic…

In this theme issue of The "OSSC Bulletin" educators speak out about what they think their schools are doing right. The project goal was to select schools with varied socioeconomic backgrounds from different parts of the state, as well as to include at least one rural school and one innercity school. The two elementary schools, two…

Reviews the history of citizens' advisory councils and the attitudes toward them, the uses to which they are put, common problems they pose for principals, and their potential for contributing to the schools. Notes that principals usually view such councils negatively, and that principals' attitudes determine council effectiveness. (PGD)

Within the last 20 years, the idea of "people centered" or participatory development has become more prevalent. The participatory approach to development represents a considerable change in the process of governance, in social and political relationships, and in who participates in, is empowered by, and controls the development process.…

Describes school board decisionmaking as a cooperative process that involves all local citizens. Recommends that the following six steps should be adapted to local needs: (1) brainstorm with the public; (2) publicize the results; (3) get reactions; (4) make your decisions; (5) make a commitment to the goals; and (6) publicize the goals. (CJH)

Youth court, also called teen court, peer jury, or student court, is an alternative to the traditional juvenile justice system and school disciplinary proceedings that empower youth and communities to take an active role in addressing the early stages of youth delinquency. The program provides communities with an opportunity to ensure immediate…