This article reports on initial findings from "Learning By Doing," a citizen science research project funded by a NSW DOE Strategic Research Grant. Our study aimed to understand the process of integrating citizen science into schools, the perceived outcomes and impacts for students, and ways to evaluate citizen science projects. In this…

For some time now, the arts education community has designed for broader outcomes for youth. These programs intentionally foster not only youth achievements within the arts or academics, but also youth and community thriving--through outcomes such as youth civic engagement, occupational identities, and wellness. In this report, the authors seek to…

This article discusses the use of community partnerships to produce civic engagement. In two undergraduate courses during the Fall 2016 semester, students created products that met the stated needs of local nonprofit organizations. Students indicated a positive reaction to their experiences in qualitative assessment instruments, and the community…

This casebook provides a reference and technical assistance tool for citizens and consumers with varying levels of knowledge or experience in the field of evaluation and monitoring, focusing on mental health centers. The purposes of this casebook and current knowledge about citizen evaluation are discussed. The 51 case summaries presented are…

This manual is intended to help citizen groups set up their own on-the-job training activities, tailored to their own individual needs, issues, learning styles, and experiences. Specifically, it discusses planning for change in the community and program development. Chapters are written chronologically, from the first step in the planning process…

The Central Valley Partnership (CVP) was the centerpiece of the Civic Culture Program area of the James Irvine Foundation headquartered in San Francisco. Initiated in 1996 as a "partnership for citizenship," CVP had three objectives: (1) assisting and supporting immigrants seeking citizenship; (2) promoting active civic participation…

AmeriCorps is a national initiative that involves citizens in strengthening America's communities through community service. This document presents findings of a cost-benefit analysis of two AmeriCorps programs in Washington State--the Hoquiam Project and the Lake Chelan Project. In calculating annual costs, the study included both federal dollars…

An experimental writing program lasting three years and four months was held in the Chicago Public Library System, for which writers-in-residence, scholars-in- residence, and other program associates presented several series focusing on the city of Chicago. Emphasis during the first year centered on the literary/historical aspect of writing in and…

An experiment was conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of using the teaching computer as a medium for involving people in community planning. A program on environmental issues was presented on the PLATO system to a non-random sample of citizens of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. Civic and government leaders and interested citizens attended…

The contents of this compendium of reports on projects attempting to promote increased citizen participation in urban education are organized in three sections. Section 1, Citizen Participation, includes the following reports: "Ways of Establishing and Funding Community Learning Centers," settings strategically located within the…

Migration has been an essential part of American life and a contributing factor to the urbanization of its cities. The pages of history are filled with the record of the movement of people away from a lesser toward a greater opportunity and the search for security and happiness in some more favorable environment. There are two large groups of…

An examination of hundreds of studies on the use of volunteers in mentoring programs, service programs, and local community change initiatives highlight the importance of screening, training, and volunteer management. Each year, more than 90 million Americans contribute more than 20 billion volunteer hours. Personal benefits of volunteering…