This digest describes ways in which professionals who work with students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds can create an educational climate that accepts and respects the language and culture of its students and empowers them to feel confident enough to risk getting involved in the learning process. Methods of creating such an…

A case study of an economically distressed rural Kentucky school district examined the theory that educational policy can enable community participation and that participation can enable policy implementation by affecting school governance and expanding the services provided. Primary data were gathered via interviews with four parent participants,…

This report summarizes some Austin Independent School District (AISD) parent and community involvement activities for the 2003-2004 school year.

Student health professionals, working as assistants to communities with serious health care problems, helped develop the Shuqualak health center in an area with the highest infant mortality rate in the United States. Describes the Community Technical Assistance Program and the history of the Shuqualak project. (SB)

Teachers, parents, and students on the White Mountain Apache reservation perceive school activities quite differently, indicating parental isolation and a lack of communication among the groups. Although students tend to agree with teachers more than with parents, teachers alone feel students are inadequately prepared for postsecondary school…

Examines outreach and cultural exchange in the design and delivery of social work courses offered in Canada's Aboriginal communities. Discusses the contract between the educational institution and the Aboriginal community, issues encountered by instructors in outreach programs, the appropriateness of distance education, and efforts to incorporate…

Critical steps in developing these curricula included: selecting integrative theory to address multidimensional antecedents of HIV/AIDS and substance abuse among Native Americans; using ethnography to obtain input from target groups and community members to ensure developmental and cultural sensitivity; and using process and outcome evaluations of…

Contends that barriers to effective education can be overcome by using the community as a living laboratory for social studies learning. Discusses out-of-school learning opportunities that meet four criteria: (1) goal relevance; (2) appropriate level of difficulty; (3) feasibility; and (4) cost effectiveness. (CFR)

Maintains that educators can achieve instructional goals if students are provided with effective and interesting curricular activities. Describes the Entrepreneurship Economic Education Project in Clark County, Nevada. Asserts that it could serve as a model for community involvement in economics education. (CFR)

Considers the arguments advanced for an expansion of academic programs incorporating service learning. Briefly describes several programs in relation to the validity of these arguments. Suggests that geography could benefit from incorporating elements of service learning in order to enhance its treatment of ethical issues. (MJP)

Contends that to realize their leadership potential art teachers must forge connections with the community. Discusses three connections and argues that they are crucial to increased participation of all students and teachers in viable art education programs. (CFR)

Daniel Webster Accelerated School in San Francisco (California) is one of two schools adopting the process of school change developed by H. M. Levin. An interview with Levin explains his philosophy of accelerated schools characterized by (1) unity of purpose; (2) school site responsibility; and (3) building on strengths. (SLD)

A collaborative effort among community, corporations, and schools in Fort Worth Independent School District (Texas) entailed redesigning classroom learning to make it relevant to the working world, and introducing experiential learning strategies and field experiences. Educational changes resulted from a corporate survey of skills required in area…

The Valley School, Flint (Michigan), an ethnically and economically diverse private school, involves parents and the community to a remarkable degree, in establishing policies and in hands-on practice in the classroom. The principal's leadership is a major factor in sustaining the involvement planned for since the school's founding. (SLD)

Although the Chelsea project, in which Boston University has taken control of the Chelsea School System (Massachusetts), has been hampered by political and financial problems, the university is pressing ahead with educational experiments to improve teaching, expand educational opportunities, reduce dropout rates, and increase community…