Presents observations of small district school boards based on travels through 21 states. Small communities have faced economic decline, a changing membership of school boards and consolidation, with less representation of professionals and business leaders. Recommended tasks of school boards involve (1) facilitating communication; (2) forming…

Describes a center for education, research, and passive recreation in wetland settings operated by a community conservation organization in cooperation with the state and a local university. Discusses the philosophy, on-site programs (formal and nonformal), the outreach program, and community involvement in ornithological research of the center.…

The corporate perspective on school reform efforts in Chicago (Illinois) is provided. Illinois Bell supports the local school council (LSC) structure by encouraging its workers to run for election to LSCs and providing workshop training for employees through its Project SERVE (Serving Educational Reform with Volunteer Efforts). (SLD)

Analyzes the quality and content of written messages sent from nine schools and three district offices to residents of their respective communities. Analysis of 594 communiques indicates that they are usually quite functional, although typically dull and targeted toward society's mainstream. Ideas for improvement are discussed. (SLD)

Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are the leading health problems among American Indian communities. Public policy options that address these problems include controlling the supply of alcoholic beverages; shaping drinking practices directly; or reducing physical and social environmental risks. Discusses alcohol-related death rates and community…

Defines community service, which involves unpaid work to improve the community, and service learning, which blends academic study and community service. Offers a rationale for service learning at community colleges. Explains how to start a service learning program, document students' community involvement, and obtain funding. Discusses…

Praises past achievements of the National Art Education Association (NAEA) and the art education profession. Maintains that art curriculum must reflect community values and norms, and should be relevant to students' needs. Believes that art educators are currently in a position to make art a central part of educational processes. (KM)

Court and legislative challenges and financial crisis have hampered the first years of implementation of the Chicago (Illinois) School Reform Act of 1988. At the local level, school councils performed variously. Overall, evaluation of the act's success or failure will be conducted at the local level in individual schools. (JB)

A Queensland (Australia) interview survey of 19 rural and 31 urban individuals over 50 years of age with mild or moderate intellectual disability is reported. Results are reported for both groups in terms of access to and participation in community activities, self-care and independence, health problems, and economic situation. (DB)

Provides details of a mock town meeting (using the warrant prepared for the town's real town meeting) which was planned and conducted by ninth grade students. Includes a project evaluation. (PRA)

Project Achieve, New York City's new dropout prevention program, might benefit from the failures of the city's earlier Dropout Prevention Initiative. Project Achieve will organize all ninth and tenth grade students into houses, integrate support and academic staff, and achieve maximum personnel continuity throughout a student's high school career.…

Reports on a approach to teaching the sociology of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) by combining coursework with weekly volunteer work in an AIDS agency. Concludes with a discussion of the benefits of experiential learning and five guidelines for establishing similar community service programs. (CFR)

Offers a friendly critique of the efforts of the Parent-Teacher Action Research Project conducted by eight member schools of the League of Parents Reaching Out. Concludes that parent-teacher action research can empower parents, and suggests ways to improve the action research parent involvement process. (SLD)

Active Living is a unique Canadian approach in which physical activity is valued and integrated into daily life. Active Living will have an increasing impact on the health, physical education, and recreation fields. The article describes the development of Active Living, its effects on Canadian society, and current initiatives. (SM)

Several brief articles examine how library and information workers in Australia, along with community historians, are meeting the challenge of finding, cataloging, preserving, and communicating local history to their clients and the world beyond. Describes cooperative initiatives by state, local, and regional libraries; discusses how technology…