This guide presents practical applications from a research study about the processes that schools use to initiate and sustain reforms. It examines the history of 10 elementary schools in high-poverty settings, including details of behavioral and attitudinal changes. Ten capacities were associated with the stages of successful reform. The…

This book offers a six-step process for eliciting broader community involvement with schools in order to improve students' educational environment. The need for changing traditional practices is discussed in chapter 1, which describes various ways to ensure equity and access while also rebuilding public confidence and support for schools. Chapter…

This seven-chapter report explores in depth how issues relating to race, language, and culture can be incorporated into every stage of a reform process targeting supports to disadvantaged children and families. The report draws on 1993 research involving a survey of 98 collaborative programs in California, site visits to seven collaborative…

To improve the existing junior high school's academic and activities programs as well as the school environment, a school superintendent and a middle school consultant teamed with others to effect the transition of a 7-9 grade junior high school plan to a 6-8 grade middle school plan in Augusta, Kansas. The overall plan was basically simple and…

This volume contains the texts of the papers and discussions presented at a conference on community-based development. The following materials are included: "Opening Remarks" (John Zippert); "Guest Speaker Remarks" (Colman McCarthy); "Community-Based Development" (Blandina Cardenas Ramirez); "Community-Based Colleges" (panel discussions moderated…

Changing population patterns, inflated housing costs, and cuts in school financing have forced many school districts to face school closures and school consolidation as a way of maintaining solvency. This report reviews the literature on school consolidation with attention to the fact that the need to consolidate now faces elementary schools as…