Recounts a Pennsylvania community's reluctance and eventual approval of a new charter school. Considers political forces from a systems-design perspective; highlights the community involvement process as expressed in public hearings. Discusses reasons for resistance and legislative incentives to overcome it. Makes legislative recommendations. (MLH)

Using ethnographic techniques, this article explores the complex interaction of control and caring in two alternative education programs for students resisting traditional schooling in Cincinnati (Ohio) Public Schools, a predominantly low-income, African-American urban school district. A community-based orientation for staff proves essential in…

The key to handling persistent challenges (increased accountability demands, unstable superintendencies, educator shortages, minority underachievement, and resistant high schools) is breaking down institutional barriers separating today's schools from their surrounding communities. Tapping human and cultural resources and offering better…

High school improvement is possible with visionary leadership and common goals. Ayer (Massachusetts) High School is a small, comprehensive school that has restructured itself to meet 21st century needs. Revolutionary changes have occurred in instructional improvement, core curriculum, technology education, class size, graduation requirements,…

A former principal describes how a "problem" rural Alaskan school became a model of positive self-esteem, community involvement, student achievement, and enthusiasm for learning. She discusses problems (cultural dissonance and fragmented curricula), the project's philosophical basis in cultural sensitivity and personality-type theory,…

Poverty is prevalent in rural communities and has a pervasive impact on education. Rural schools must create partnerships with local businesses and empower and include parents in the education of their children. Presents five social and economic barriers to rural educational improvement, and outlines characteristics of successful models of…

Describes the SCI-FEST (Science Collaborative Initiative-Festival to Enhance Science and Technology) where community members worked together to put on a successful science festival for the whole family. Discusses the planning and implementation of the festival which included nearly 100 hands-on science activities, skits, puppet shows, and…

Challenges the idea that personal experience with issues or events in a community diminishes the use of mass media. Uses the community attachments model to hypothesize that personal experience will increase newspaper reading. Supports the key hypothesis when it comes to reading of the local community weekly and student newspapers, but not for the…

Evaluations of rural and small schools done by stakeholders provide a broader base of involvement than those done internally by persons with a vested interest or potential conflict of interest. Presents tasks for initiating a stakeholders' evaluation, groups considered to be stakeholders, evaluation standards, and elements to include in a school…

Researchers advise school boards to make academic standards everyone's business; narrow standards' grade- and school-level focus; make standards-based decisions; invest in highly qualified teachers; demand helpful, well-aligned assessments; approach accountability cautiously; and intervene to help struggling students. Online resources are listed.…

Discusses how community interest and involvement helps a new school reinvigorate an urban area. Community input into design and site selection, site improvements, interior elements, and construction management are addressed. (GR)

Effects of project participation were evaluated at two Johannesburg sites of "Growing Up in Cities"--a project that involves children in documenting and improving urban environments. Survey responses of participating children and their parents revealed increased awareness of the environment and community needs, better communication…

Describes Campus Compact, a national coalition of college and university presidents committed to helping students develop values and skills through public service. Reports that students are engaged in improving housing for the homeless, reading/writing tutoring, preserving the environment, mentoring, and alleviating hunger. States that one of the…

Discusses the status of charter schools in New Mexico, including curriculum and instruction, student achievement, effects of school size, school enrollment, facilities, financial management, compliance with rules and regulations, governance, parent and community involvement, satisfaction with charter schools, and impact on local school districts.…

Presents guidelines for establishing and maintaining Young Adult services in the library. Discusses identifying the needs of young adults; developing the collection; marketing; programming; school outreach; networking; community visits and raising community awareness; popular culture; staff support and training; and professional associations and…