Rural communities face incredible challenges and emerging opportunities. Land-grant universities are well-positioned to assist by developing new approaches to inspire university students to become civically engaged, rural community members. With this aim, the Rural Scholars program at Oklahoma State University was developed as an opportunity for…

Finding ways to move knowledge-to-impact is a key priority for research funding agencies, universities, and academics. However, academic engagement with the broader community is not without tensions and challenges, including arriving at mutual benefit and relevance, and addressing power dynamics and often incompatible communication practices. This…

A youth community informatics (YCI) research project intersected an inquiry learning model with the making of audiovisual podcasts to foster personal growth and community engagement in a group of Mexican American youth enrolled in an afterschool program. Specifically, the article describes the cycle of inquiry together with the development of a…

This handbook was designed to assist advisory councils, program staff and administrators, and community members in planning community education programs and in managing those programs effectively. Chapter I defines and describes planning: what it is, why it is used, and how to engage in the process. The critical role of planning leaders is…

Discusses use of volunteers to augment local government services such as libraries, parks, paralegal aid, elderly care, data processing. Outlines requirements of successful programs and steps toward initiating volunteer programs. Presents case studies of volunteer programs in two Maryland communities and 41 examples of how local governments can…

Describes several examples of urban parks and the renewal of city open spaces. Community groups interested in getting funding from government or private sources must cope with budget restrictions by making effective, innovative use of available money. Government agencies with funds allocated for urban improvements are mentioned. (AM)

An examination of several school systems across the country offering community education programs provided information for this report on successful management techniques and unique program ideas, featuring tips from experts and a number of "how-to" suggestions. Drawing particularly on the experiences of administrators with programs in Flint,…

Participation has been accepted as an always desirable methodology in seeking development with rather than for the people. This paper explores some of the limitations of participation as it relates to planning and implementing nonformal education projects. The author focuses on six broad issues that relate to project participation. (SSH)

This handbook was written to demonstrate the procedure for setting up and running a citizen advisory council for vocational education programs. Organized into seven sections, the handbook provides information on the background and purposes of an advisory council, procedures for establishing a council, council operations, the council role, public…

This study investigated factors impinging upon the successful implementation of reform in New Jersey's special needs or Abbott districts. Surveys of 28 Abbott districts examined the extent to which districts embraced remedial measures in the Supreme Court's rulings; perceived compatibility between remedial measures embodied in the reform and prior…

A model and supportive materials are presented for design and implementation of a program for involving citizens in decision-making concerning significant environmental issues. Chapter topics include: why citizen involvement? (potential benefits of the process); theoretical basis for citizen involvement (three fundamental perspectives underlying…

Education North is an experimental project to promote community involvement in schools in seven selected towns in northern Alberta (Canada). The project strategy is based on the "local education society" (LES), an autonomous group that develops and operates local programs using government funds, independent of the local education agency…

An evaluation was done of the participation of the core planning team members (CPTs) of 28 Phase II schools in Chicago (Illinois) in total site training provided by the Creating a New Approach to Learning Project (Project CANAL) for their schools from October 15, 1990 through January 30, 1991. The training's purpose was to assist schools to…

Designed to be perused at any point, this book is for people who understand that creating and maintaining good public schools is a never-ending effort requiring everyone's attention. The book has four main sections: introduction, strategies, background information, and resources. The introduction discusses some problems facing today's schools and…

This report characterizes the current state of community service in the United States, discusses actions the Commission on National and Community Service has taken, and sketches some alternatives for the future. An executive summary presents the main themes of the report. Chapter 1 describes the promise of national and community service for the…