Traces how a principal reversed the downward spiral of his urban middle school by strengthening family, community, and business ties and creating a positive, challenging, and supportive school experience. The school is bolstered by business partnerships, a school-based management team, a parent liaison, and a high-risk student coordinator. (CJS)

Describes an elementary school six years after it adopted the Comer process, an educational philosophy promoting ongoing collaboration among parents, teachers, and administrators to do what is best for student learning and development. Consensus whenever possible and open expression of feelings and issues builds professionalism and community.…

Miles Park School views outreach to families, community groups, and businesses as necessary for educational success. Support programs in tutoring, counseling, and high school equivalency for parents are offered, while parents participate in grant-writing, instruction, and program development. Describes the school's drug prevention program. (CJS)

A university-assisted participatory action project, the West Philadelphia Improvement Corps (WEPIC), has worked with several schools in Philadelphia to develop comprehensive community school projects. WEPIC is now a school-based neighborhood and school revitalization movement that attempts to serve, educate, involve, and activate all members of…

The Teen Parenting Program, combining individualized academic and parenting instruction, has decreased future costs to society by reducing the dropout rate for expectant mothers from 80 percent to 38 percent and second pregnancy rates from 30-45 percent to 8 percent and by increasing birthweights of babies born to program mothers. Describes the…

Describes the Institute for Responsive Education's Schools Reaching Out project, which attempts to increase student achievement by fostering improved relationships among families, schools, and other community agencies and institutions. These partnerships are seen as crucial in restructuring schools through parent involvement, teacher empowerment,…

Low-income parents and children unaccustomed to a school environment are made to feel welcome in the Buffalo Public Schools' Parent Center. Parents are guided-through classes, discussions, and take-home computers-to be their children's teachers and to learn the school system well enough to negotiate it to their children's advantage. (CJS)

The New York State Community Schools Program is a State Education Department initiative to build school/community collaborations, promote school change, and organize schools as sites for the delivery of a wide range of services to children and their families. Describes schools' role as brokers of collaborative supports and services. (AF)

Describes 17 family education programs considered innovative and promising. The programs selected target low-income families with children between three and eight and are linked with public schools. All of them work with parents to enhance children's cognitive development and academic achievement. Summarizes methods used in recruitment, staffing,…

Describes the Rice Computer Education Center, a cooperative after-school project for providing computer training for at-risk elementary school students in Chicago (Illinois). (FMW)