Describes how, as part of the Middle School Achievement Project, Minneapolis parents and community members shadowed students and teachers, and experienced middle level classrooms while collecting data about curriculum and classroom environments that led to middle level school improvement. Details study procedures including study instruments,…

Describes the history of early childhood education in India from the 1890s to the present. Presents current programs ranging from Integrated Child Development Services serving over 10 million children to small, innovative programs in local communities, noted for flexibility and responsiveness to local needs. Examines findings from innovative…

Examines how citizens' concern for education can be used to encourage family and community involvement in improving learning. Highlights "America Goes Back to School" program as an opportunity for parent and community involvement in schools. Gives examples of school-family-community partnerships. Lists seven challenges to American…

Examines participation of minority representatives on local school-change teams in Kentucky and their feelings about the experience. Their reasons for dropping out indicate that minority parents do not feel accepted by the decision-making group (often because of perceptions of racism and classism) and lack the confidence to participate fully in…

Reviews a strategy for building community partnerships that have been instrumental in the development and implementation of a lead education program. In this model program, St. Louis University School of Public Health interacts with both private and public nonprofit community organizations. Grassroots community involvement in designing preventive…

Describes a school-based project for fifth-grade students that integrated fine arts with the core curriculum. Explains that the students worked together with professionals in the community to develop a school-based business that created a calendar featuring local sites and landmarks. (CMK)

The principal and vice-principal of a California elementary school describe the eight critical elements that helped them develop a model expanded-day program at their school: identifying needs; sharing a vision; fostering staff ownership; investing in staff development; creating partnerships; linking learning to state standards; measuring and…

Describes a needs assessment process that was developed for the Soledad branch library, which is located in a rural, predominantly Spanish-speaking community. Questionnaires for users and nonusers are described, community residents' involvement is discussed, desirable library services are suggested, and needs in a bilingual community are…

The National Urban Coalition's Say YES Schools Project appears to confirm the potential of activity-based instruction as a vehicle for increasing student interest and achievement, not only in science and mathematics but also in reading. Describes parent and community involvement in activity-based enrichment programs for children of color. (AF)

Outlines the six elements from educational research that enhance the value of community service programs. Summarizes three school-based programs: Community Involvement Program in Minnetonka, Minnesota; Early Adolescent Helper Program in New York, New York; and Youth Community Service in Los Angeles, California. (SLM)

Based on a two-year study of four elementary schools in a poor, crime-ridden section of Chicago, this article finds the public school an island of relative safety in an ocean of danger. Community-wide approaches are needed to stop lawlessness and fear in innercity schools. Includes seven references. (MLH)

Describes an exhibit organized by the media specialist at Base Line Middle School (Colorado) that portrayed ethnic stereotypes in today's culture through movies, records, sports logos, cartoons, newspaper articles, magazines, and other media. Presentations by community members from the ethnic groups are described, and student reactions are…

Describes the transformation of St. John Neumann School, in South Carolina, from a financially unstable parish school to a thriving and fully accredited institution through parent participation and the efforts of a new principal. Argues that the school's experience shows what can be achieved when families, communities, and schools commit…

Presents text from the vision statement for family friendly libraries to help citizens who are experiencing difficulties with public library system policies of the American Library Association. Describes five articles from the statement: traditional family emphasis, parental library rights, respect for standards and laws, respect for minors, and…

Describes a successful effort by an elementary school and community to convert a classroom into a school science laboratory and stock the laboratory with science materials and apparatus. (PR)