Governing public schools is one of the most important responsibilities a citizen can undertake. School board members work on behalf of all the families in their community, with fellow board members and with other community partners, to ensure that each student has equal and ample opportunities to reach his or her greatest potential. This guide…

Place- and community-based education--an approach to teaching and learning that starts with the local--addresses two critical gaps in the experience of many children now growing up in the United States: contact with the natural world and contact with community. It offers a way to extend young people's attention beyond the classroom to the world as…

Poverty and unemployment aren't spread evenly across cities or regions, but rather are concentrated in disinvested urban neighborhoods and rural communities around the country. These communities are home to the nation's most vulnerable children and families. Despite some signs of improvement in economic conditions for families in the United…

This book of case studies highlights 26 municipalities involved in activities related to child care. Cities selected were of different sizes; were located in different parts of the country; and used diverse approaches for developing ways to improve access to affordable, high-quality child care. Each case study was developed through a telephone…

Intended for local municipal officials and their advisors on public finance issues, this publication describes the legal environment surrounding bonds and examines some of the factors affecting the political feasibility of bond issues. Four categories of state controls of municipal bonds are discussed: limits on the amount of debt municipalities…

Many school buildings are in dire need of renovation, expansion, or replacement. Brief case studies from around the country illustrate the importance of finding out why people vote for or against a construction referendum. Lists recommendations for a strategic campaign. (MLF)

The purpose of this document is to give local school districts in Mississippi the information needed to complete the local technology planning process, beginning with the technology committee selection and ending with the State Board of Education's approval and the Technology Enhancement Funds disbursement. The document is divided into five…

This book profiles over 30 local programs and policies designed to meet the needs of children and families in cities and towns. The first chapter concerns the examination of issues related to children and families in the context of policy and planning. It calls attention to the need for comprehensiveness and coordination in the strategic…

Synthesizes results from four evaluations of the PATCH (Planned Approach to Community Health) program. Two examined multiple state and community programs, one examined one state, and one reviewed methods and materials of state and local coordinators. The article discusses specific recommendations for conducting PATCH and Centers for Disease…

Decisions concerning large-scale energy development projects near small communities or in predominantly rural areas are usually complex, requiring cooperation of all levels of government, as well as the general public and the private sector. It is unrealistic to expect the typical small community to develop capabilities to independently evaluate a…

The article describes implementation of the PATCH (Planned Approach to Community Health) model in an urban African-American community. It presents recommendations reflecting lessons learned in that community and notes four components crucial to such a community-based public health effort. (SM)

Focusing on law enforcement agents and taxpayers at the local level, this two-part report examines facts about crime in the United States and reports results of a survey conducted to determine attitudes about crime and police protection. Part One presents facts and issues related to types of crime, crime statistics, the extent of crime, trends in…