After reviewing several of the problems facing educators in our changing society, the author focuses on the specific problem of providing adequate vocational education for rural youth. The ideas of community involvement in vocational education via business and industry advisory councils, plus more money for rural schools, are seen as possible…

A citizens task force of 25 persons representing the geographic areas and population of Shasta College (Redding, California) district was organized to propose goals for Shasta College in providing services for the older adult population in the district, and to make recommendations concerning a comprehensive continuing program to achieve these…

The use of local lay advisory councils has been an effective method of involving citizens in the school program and an effective bridge between the community and the school. Topics in this publication cover: (1) Benefits of a Citizens Advisory Council, which discusses the benefits for learners, school board members, teachers, administrators,…

An Illinois school district's quest for magical answers to technology-integration woes inspired a homegrown potion. Planners advise others to begin the journey regardless of available resources, find supportive "munchkins" within the community, face and overcome obstacles, choose traveling companions wisely, fight off attacks together, and create…

A model for community services that stresses the necessity and value of community involvement in the planning of community service activities is presented. The role of the community service sector of the educational institution is to establish a center which will provide leadership in uniting and coordinating community efforts to meet individual…

Citizens' committees and advisory groups are one means of addressing the issue of accountability. This article suggests that such groups offer real potential to counselors for increasing their visibility, gaining substantive feedback and developing program improvement. Practical hints are included for the formation and operation of a Counseling…

This booklet discusses the importance of involving members of the community in public school programs and activities and presents brief profiles of current school programs and policies that are attempting to do so. The author examines in detail the kinds and extent of parent and community interaction with the schools and describes what different…

The purpose of this Personalized Activity Kit is to provide an overview of ways to manage with people so that educational programs do get implemented and constantly improved. Emphasis is placed on program evaluation and the definition of program management. (Author/IRT)

The handbook is available to assist small communities with limited resources in planning, initiating, and carrying out a beautification or community development program. Evidence is provided of results which can be obtained when individual citizens and groups are given opportunities to participate, use their special skills, and become involved in…

Establishing a district's gifted education program involves (1) building support among other administrators, (2) involving teachers, (3) planning the program through a school-community committee, (4) developing a budget, (5) having principals coordinate the program, (6) maintaining parent support, and (7) not favoring the gifted program over other…

Advocates student learning portfolios as an effective assessment technique. Explains how to devise a process that involves community expert partners in judging a student portfolio contest in technical writing. Discusses how to sustain community involvement in program assessment and describes how portfolio assessment led to the creation of a…

For the last year, the Rural Libraries and the Humanities Project has assisted 30 rural libraries in Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma in developing locally initiated humanities programs. Program packets focusing on heritage, literature, and women were prepared to aid in program development. Development of unique local programs was also encouraged.…

This paper describes how the Oakland University Early Childhood Project developed a technique for community participation in a university program. Using a federal planning grant, a committee of community and professional members representing a variety of economic backgrounds and ethnic groups was formed. The interaction of the professional and…

Based on his analysis of 23 communities, the author suggests six guidelines for implementing sex education programs: use small community committees rather than large ones, conduct community surveys, make sure the programs discuss sexual abstinence, provide staff training, adopt written policies, and involve parents in the programs. (RW)

Through Dean's Grant funding, the College of Education at Illinois State University (Normal) initiated a reconceptualization of its four-semester elementary teacher preparation program named "CORE." This article describes the collaborative program planning effort. One of seven Dean's Grant programs for PL 94-142 training described in…