Explores the role of schools in providing pregnant and parenting adolescents with an array of support services that can mitigate some of the consequences of too early childbearing. Key research findings in the field of service delivery to pregnant and parenting adolescents are summarized to provide a knowledge base on which to build. (SLD)

Addresses the legal interface between the privatization of school services and the politics of urban education. Considers the political forces both outside and within education, as well as the problem of privatization contracting undertaken without considering the legal ramifications. Offers suggestions for education leaders who may wish to…

Designing school-linked services that take into account the growing diversity of the nation's population requires individuals and organizations to address several difficult issues, beginning with understanding language and culture. Building trust is perhaps the biggest challenge to developing effective collaboration. (SLD)

Argues that education is a public good and cannot fit into the privatization model. It provides a critique of the first large-scale contract signed in the country by the Baltimore Public School District and a private company, Educational Alternatives, Inc., revealing political difficulties surrounding school control and dissatisfied teachers who…

Analyzes the private procurement of noninstructional goods and services and provides information about this movement that suggests individuals are looking for a "quick fix" for educational problems. It examines problems with contracting out for services and shows the strain this places on urban superintendents. Finally, an analysis of contracting…

Views the use of private vendors as a way of cost reduction and efficiency improvement. It argues that contracting out for services reduces administrator overload, provides better technical expertise and economies of scale, and reduces supervisory work. Privatization also brings political implications involving employee job loss and service…

Analyzes the Baltimore Public School District's contract with a private for-profit company to manage the instructional programs of nine schools. It shows that the award of the contract was solely a political consideration; no financial experts were involved. Additionally, the program has not improved test scores and is being challenged by the…

To implement a school-linked services approach, schools must use existing financing sources for programs in health, social services, juvenile justice, and other areas rather than adding social workers and nurses to the school payroll. Fiscal strategies then can reinforce the integrated services approach are highlighted. (SLD)

Identifies the following nuts-and-bolts issues that must be addressed when establishing school-linked service programs: (1) planning; (2) targeting; (3) governance; (4) information systems; and (5) staffing. Political and policy issues are extremely important in seeking partnerships among independent agencies in an intergovernmental setting. (SLD)

Discusses ways schools must restructure to provide school-linked services. Education personnel must learn to work with other agencies and to expand the boundaries of their efforts. Practical implications of school-linked services are illustrated via reference to the New Beginnings program of the San Diego (California) city schools. (SLD)

Service fragmentation is a major problem in children's services. The articles of this special issue focus on school-linked integrated services. Issues to be explored in promoting such services are those of (1) funding; (2) space; (3) confidentiality; (4) staff training; and (5) governance. (SLD)

Describes organizational conditions and social processes related to family-school interactions that are necessary to promote school-linked social service systems. Case studies of two elementary schools with students of low socioeconomic status are used to compare school policies and procedures. Policy proposals are presented for expanding and…

Discusses efforts to coordinate services (mental health services in particular) for children and families, and reports initial findings of research by the Youth Law Center to identify specific characteristics of effective coordination programs. Sixteen characteristics of effective coordinated service programs have been identified. (SLD)

Reviews concerns about school-linked services programs, exploring institutional-based versus community-based models of service delivery. It is argued that the community is the appropriate context for providing and facilitating access to services and opportunities. Too strong an institutional bias runs the risk of limiting access and community…

Uses research on organizations to analyze the impact of coordination on program quality, efficiency, and accountability of programs providing school-linked services for children. Coordination is not a panacea, but it can improve the existing fragmented system by enabling a more holistic response to children's needs. (SLD)