Discusses the history of a citizen's organization on San Antonio's West Side, Communities Organized for Public Service (COPS), which only organizations such as churches, block clubs, and civic groups, can join. Concludes that "COPS has proved that it has vote-getting ability far past the 5,000 people who attend citywide conventions."…

Examines news media activities during five natural disasters. Shows how the media and local officials often cooperate and sometimes conflict in accomplishing their respective goals and how this process affects the public's understanding of the disaster event. (NKA)

Information about 50 small-town governments in rural Vermont was analyzed to determine women's participation in town government. Results included the finding that percentage of offices held by women decreased as town size increased. Data suggested that women became politically active out of necessity and filled offices that reflected their…

Community activities of Black, former student activists, and nonactivists who attended college during the 1960s were investigated in a longitudinal study conducted in 1969 and 1978. Community involvement among both groups was similar. Although the sample size is small, this is the only study where the data was obtained while subjects were still…

Advocates including environmental issues balanced with basic science concepts/processes to provide a sound science foundation. Suggests case studies of regional environmental issues to sensitize/motivate students while reflecting complex nature of science/society issues. Issues considered include: fresh water quality, earthquake predication,…

The author discusses problems related to the development of educational programs in developing nations and cautions against the use of sophisticated technological systems without the use of intermediary steps and supporting services. Some topics examined are telecommunication, nonformal education, local needs assessment, and district-level…

This paper argues that political conflict over educational policy at the local level is cultural in its origins and represents a deep division in U.S. society about the values that should be taught in the public schools. The research reported in the paper focused on a single case study of a recall election in the Orange Unified School District…

In an era of devolution in much social policy, many initiatives seek to improve child, youth, and family well-being through locally-governed, data-driven partnerships. These partnerships are not limited to savvy technical reform of policies or programs. They target a change in political will, policy agendas, and policy implementation arrangements,…

The license renewal applications of each of 109 radio stations, selected as a stratified random sample of all radio stations which type themselves as being black oriented to some degree, were content analyzed in an attempt to document the community needs perceived by black-oriented radio stations. (JM)

A coordinated and articulated evaluation system at all levels in occupational education is vitally important to the success of programs. (Author)

A survey in an unincorporatedurban area compared the major community problems of concern to two groups: (a) randomly selected citizens, and (b) recognized community leaders. The results showed a large divergence of concerns as well as a striking number of citizens who felt themselves to be without spokesmen. (Author/JB)

Two issues in the Holtzman Project bear examination and reconsideration: (1) the recommendation for the use of field experiments as an exclusive "authorized" evaluation design, and (2) the focus on the needs of the federal client, and the apparent lack of concern for clients at the state and local levels. (GC)

The role of environmental education in helping to understand and solve urban problems is examined. Local issue-centered curriculum and issue-based curriculum are cited as two possible strategies. Examples of each are given. (DC)

Suggests the study of local issues as an active approach to citizenship education in the elementary and secondary grades. Presents a model activity for high school civics students on investigating the impact of a new shopping mall. (SJL)