This handbook was prepared as a tool to assist U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) employees coordinate their resources and efforts to help people improve their environment. Twenty-two projects are outlined as potential environmental thrusts at the community level. It is the role of USDA employees to encourage and assist, in every way possible,…

This speech discusses three aspects of community participation used in Los Angeles junior high schools--education aides, a volunteer program, and school-community advisory councils. The author describes the roles of the three groups and discusses their effectiveness, emphasizing that successes or failures of community participation are tied to the…

This profile describes various facets of Saint Lucia's National Association of Early Childhood Educators (NAECE), whose mission is "to stand up for the rights of children." The profile first presents the association's 5-year action plan, which includes goals for: (1) technical assistance, for example scholarships for the poor to attend…

A community education project in Brooks County, Georgia, began in 1977 with five people, developed county-wide support, and now includes a community education county council, federal funding, volunteer programs, after-school programs, agricultural education (especially swine production), and a day-care center. (AN)

Asserts income inequality will grow as government spending cutbacks lead to funding cuts for social benefits and services. Notes the shift from federal to local administration of social welfare services suggests greater resource allocation power for local communities. Draws on the literature of multicultural community practice to focus on…

Describes the report "The Civic Mission of Schools," released on 13 February 2003. Discusses four key goals related to civic knowledge and skills; community involvement; political involvement; and moral and civic virtues. Notes that the report also provides practical guidance to K-12 schools and colleges and universities on supporting more…

Discusses the importance of competitions for gifted students and offers practical tips and techniques for utilizing competitions, not only to enhance talents, but also to nurture positive relationships between the school and community. Gives an example of a community's involvement in supporting competitions. (Author/CR)

The author talks about a vision of a "learning community" that is currently being trialled in 26 testbeds in England. As the first learning community testbeds develop across England, the author looks at some of the early issues that are emerging from the first few months of activity. The issues identified have emerged from early…

This authoritative, highly readable reference and text is grounded in the latest knowledge on how antisocial and criminal behavior develops in youth and how it can effectively be treated. Contributors describe proven ways to reduce juvenile delinquency by targeting specific risk factors and strengthening young people's personal, family, and…

Citizen participation and community education are critical to encouraging attractive and sustainable growth. The Alliance for Quality Growth (AQG), housed at the University of Georgia, was formed to increase awareness and understanding of the wide variety of planning and growth management tools available, including the charrette, a proven…

Seventy-one activities are suggested for student participation in community environmental awareness as well as for projects involving student-in-put on community decision making on environmental issues. (JR)

This article reports how a coeducational family life and sex education project was initiated at the elementary level and integrated into the Health and Family Life Education Project of the Cleveland Public Schools. (Author/JA)

To help Georgia school administrators, educators, and community members, this handbook suggests ideas and plans for strengthening school-community relations and increasing community involvement in schools. The first section lays out the four steps district administrators should take in developing a systemwide community involvement program,…

This is a guide for organizing Adopt-A-School programs, partnerships between schools and businesses or agencies in the community. The program currently underway in Washington, D.C., is described, and program goals including career awareness and improved attendance are outlined. Procedures and criteria for sponsoring organizations…

The Hartford project, an experimental effort to reduce residential burglary, street robberies, and fear of those crimes in an urban residential neighborhood, is described. Its most distinctive feature is its integrative approach in which police, community organization, and physical design changes were used to increase the willingness and ability…