In this article, I serve as a secretary for the critical policy analysis presented by hundreds of teachers, parents, students, and community members during 19 public hearings on school closures in New York City. In testimony at hearings, community members rejected the narrow, statistical approach they felt the Department of Education was using to…

Most high school reform efforts understandably focus on boosting the success of low-income students who are underachieving academically, but in every school district where students struggle, there are academically capable low-income and minority students who do graduate prepared for college. Yet each year, many of these students choose to attend…

Communities across the country are grappling with different approaches to improving their schools. Introducing or expanding charter schools is one of the approaches that states and school districts have considered or implemented. Charter schools serve more than 5 percent of public school students nationwide and make up close to 7 percent of all…

Explores reasons for the conflicts that arise in participative decision making and, based on concepts concerning types of human behavior and group effectiveness, develops guidelines for determining the appropriateness of participation in various types of decisions. (Author/IRT)

This guide explores the contributions that parents and teachers can make to enhance energy choice decisions that affect the design and operation of educational facilities. It also examines how making the right choice can create better learning environments. The guide reveals how schools have turned energy improvements into powerful teaching tools;…

Parental involvement comes in various forms and will differ as a child moves through primary and secondary school. Epstein's (2002) classic six-types model captures the potential scope of parental involvement: (1) basic obligations of parents as care-providers; (2) schools communicating with parents about school programs; (3) parent volunteering…

The keynote of this document is "empowerment." Children can and should have opportunities from an early age to take part in the significant events in their world. Learning activities in this curriculum provide a general context in which young children can explore and appreciate various definitions of participation for elementary school…

The Decision Grid is a game that emphasizes group decision making. It has been used to enhance understanding of local government and community services and can be used in the school planning process. (Author/IRT)

Governing boards selecting new college presidents should consider that: a choice of leader depends on the institution's direction; faculty, students, and alumni must be involved; equal opportunity laws must be respected; choice of an "insider" is dangerous; and search and selection machinery should be in place before the problem arises.…

Proposes the transfer of authority from the principal to a board of teachers and parents. (Author/JM)

The number of staff members serving American higher education institutions has more than doubled in the past twenty years, as occupations in technology, development, government relations, and even athletic administration have grown as never before in the history of the academy. As the number, variety, and importance of these positions have grown,…

Presents the Sharing, Narrowing, Agreeing, Recording/Reporting, Evaluating (SNARE) Method for making group decisions. (JM)

One of a series of teacher-developed curriculum guides intended to encourage active student participation and involvement in important social issues, this elementary level guide provides children with an age-appropriate understanding of the process of political elections. Students are encouraged to become aware of what is happening around them…

This book illustrates the tools necessary to empower adults and children to help implement significant changes that will begin to eliminate some of the problems that plague the environment and threaten the legacy of a healthy, safe planet. The book tells how to turn creative ideas into action that can change laws, restore and preserve the oceans,…

Describes a high school principal's experience when he decided to hold a political office and purchase a newspaper. He eventually abandoned all three roles and took a central office position, because "too many hats" restricted his effectiveness. The question is raised about the limits educators should place on community leadership involvement.…