Despite efforts of educators across the nation, African American students in the United States underperform their peers and experience graduation rates lower than any other ethnicity. The purpose of this case study was to gain an understanding, through the lenses of social learning theory (SLT) and critical race theory (CRT), of how a partnership…

Collaboration is tough even in ideal circumstances. How do you begin to effect change when nearly half of the families in a district speak a language other than English in the home, but traditional education models rarely emphasize the strengths of cultural or linguistic diversity? Or when nearly all students live in low-income families and face…

Supporting children in their early development and learning has long-term benefits for both them and the broader community. Yet in Australia we still have significant examples of inequality of opportunity (Allan, 2010) and other structural barriers to family wellbeing, particularly in Indigenous and rural and remote communities (Bourke, Humphreys,…

This technical brief describes updates to a database of dropout prevention programs and policies in 2006/07 created by the Regional Education Laboratory (REL) Northeast and Islands and described in the Issues & Answers report, "Piloting a searchable database of dropout prevention programs in nine low-income urban school districts in the…

The current study replicates work of Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Northeast and Islands. It describes dropout prevention programs in nine Mid-Atlantic Region (Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania) school districts serving communities with populations of 24,742-107,250 (as of July 2008). All nine…

The current study replicates work of Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Northeast and Islands. It describes dropout prevention programs in nine Mid-Atlantic Region (Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania) school districts serving communities with populations of 24,742-107,250 (as of July 2008). All nine…

School leaders are increasingly called upon to pursue meaningful partnerships with families and community groups, yet many leaders are unprepared to meet the challenges of partnerships, to cross cultural boundaries, or to be accountable to the community. Alliances are needed among educators, families, and community groups that value relationship…

Over the last 10 to 15 years, a variety of efforts to transform American high schools have gained both public and private support. Significant among these are initiatives to implement Small Learning Communities (SLCs), part of a larger school reform and restructuring effort designed to address a variety of goals, including "downsizing large…

A Maryland elementary school enlightened parents and community members about school technology by hosting a technology night showcasing student work. Through staff and community members' cooperative efforts, the technology committee created a comprehensive program composed of several elements: student involvement, district vision,…

Follow Through is an early childhood program (kindergarten through third grade) established in 1967. The intent of the program is to sustain and expand on the gains made by children in Head Start or similar preschool programs. It is an educational program with a strong emphasis on community and parental involvement, as well as comprehensive…

At Pottstown (Pennsylvania) High School, educators and community members have formed a community action team that cultivates relationships with parents; honors students' achievement in academics, attendance, and citizenship; and strives to improve every student's performance. Home visits are used to jumpstart and conclude yearly efforts. (MLH)

Reorganization was undertaken by the Oakland Unified School District in an effort to improve student achievement. To facilitate the Instructional Strategy Plan, the Instructional Strategy Council was formed which consisted of persons representing business, labor, community, and school employee organizations. Technical Task Teams were established…

Beginning with the 1970-1971 school year, the School Community Agents program underwent a major restructuring of its functions and purposes so that operations would more closely conform to ESEA Title I guidelines. Agent role functions have been coordinated toward raising the academic level of students, using two major innovations. These two…

Describes methodologies used successfully to engage the Roma community in Central and Eastern European schools. Notes that the goals of the project were to identify Roma children who were misplaced in special education schools, improve their academic skills, and integrate them back into the mainstream. Notes one of the methodologies used to engage…

A program description and two booklets provide information about the May 1980 Schoolympics Games held at Burlingame Intermediate School (California). The description of the 10-day, schoolwide event includes: (1) the use of all areas of the curriculum in the competitive events; (2) the involvement of students, staff, parents, and community; (3) the…