Examines a community-based interagency policy effort from two contrasting perspectives: critical theory and postmodernist. Specifically, explores neighborhood resident participation in a decentralized, collaborative effort, using qualitative observation and interview methods. Although such collaboration could be considered an empowering strategy…

Accelerated learning involves a philosophy and systematic process for providing the best education for each child. Lessons are not really fast-track but designed to enrich students' learning experience through higher expectations, relevant course content, and stimulating instruction. Accelerated schools have three guiding principles: unity of…

A Florida attorney outlines multiple forum advocacy for children's issues. Suggests effective advocacy is based on strategies and procedures with simultaneous action in multiple forums, and requires a variety of stratagems over time. Suggests that it is advantageous to locate "partners" both inside and outside of government and to keep…

Focuses on subtle changes that evolved over three-year study of parent involvement cadre working to implement Harry Levin's Accelerated School Model targeted at high-risk students. Although the school in this study appears to have successfully involved parents in their children's education, parent cadre's underlying purpose is not being adequately…

Describes one school's efforts to collaborate with community businesses, technical schools, and universities, to provide increased educational opportunities through student projects at a time when funding for school science programs has diminished. (LZ)

Character-education programs can be implemented without creating a political firestorm if planners carefully consider key process and content elements, including community involvement; core values; comprehensive, effective curricula; formal evaluation; prosocial behavior codes; communications; family outreach; and leadership from a knowledge base.…

Describes the collection development plan implemented by the Tulsa City-County Library system to support their perception of the role of the library as providing more than recreational reading. Topics discussed include raising staff consciousness, rejecting demand buying, evaluating the collection, streamlining acquisitions, and procedures for…

Although implementing the school readiness goal is clearly a shared responsibility of parents, schools, and community, activities beyond the schoolhouse must be matched by internal school efforts, including accessing knowledge and attitudes; evaluating existing strategies in training, screening, testing, service linkages, and classroom practices;…

A survey of 95 Canadian and U.S. medical schools found that a majority regularly involved community members in research, admission, hospital boards, and undergraduate education. Most had also taken steps to identify community needs. In general, institutions viewed community involvement as beneficial, primarily in building mutual commitment.…

Describes the diverse and extensive reading program at South Bay Elementary School in rural northwestern California, one of several school reading programs recognized by the International Reading Association as exemplary. Discusses parent and community involvement, schoolwide collaboration, and program results. (SR)

Linear development and systemic models of community attachment were tested using survey responses of 415 nonmetropolitan Utah residents. Community size did not have independent inverse effects on community attachment dimensions: involvement, amity, and sentiment. Community size and five social position variables produced interactive effects.…

The Association for Higher Education of North Texas is an alliance of 20 colleges and universities, 21 high-tech businesses, and civic interests in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that is modeling new ways for higher education institutions to respond to community needs. Other consortia are generally curriculum centered, service centered, or special…

Successful initiatives for minority women depend on creation of an institutional ethos that supports change, adequate staff training, flexibility in scheduling and curricula, and recognition of the value of adult students' experiences. (SK)

Describes lifelong commitment of middle-school principal and major W.J. Jones to Coahoma, a small town in Mississippi Delta. Thanks to his efforts, town recently acquired a sewage system, blacktopped roads, and new housing (through Habitat for Humanity and World Vision). Although town elementary school fell victim to consolidation and children are…

An urban Louisiana school system successfully graduated 23 adult dropouts, awarding them real high school diplomas, thanks to the collaborative efforts of various social service agencies, intensive staff development, and sensitivity to students' economic and affective needs. Although schools cannot solve all the personal problems confronting the…