School based management councils have been adopted voluntarily at several locations nationwide and has been legislated in 1988 for the Chicago (Illinois) Public School System. These councils aim to increase school productivity and community participation. Councils across the country share common features and all hope to improve school…

The fall 1987 Chicago (Illinois) teachers' strike, documentation of the systems' problems, a movement to return local control, a history of organizing, the fall 1986 Education Summit, and skepticism about the board's ability to engineer change led to the school system's restructuring through the Chicago Public Schools Reform Act. (JB)

Describes the School-Community Connection Conference held in Flint (Michigan) on October 11-13, 1992, and the action plans that seven participating schools devised to improve the relationship between schools and their communities. The conference paired representatives from the state departments of education with school-based action teams to…

Reports on a study conducted by the Two-Year College Development Center to evaluate contract courses delivered by New York community colleges. Discusses findings related to the effectiveness of contract courses, implications of training opportunities, perceived value of training, and employer recommendations. (DMM)

Describes the experimental preschools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, providing a brief history and an overview of their guiding educational philosophy. Notes their distinguishing features, including an image of the child's social construction of learning, cognizance of children's sense of time, involvement of parents and the community, collaboration…

High school mathematics project in which students interviewed guest speakers about the mathematics used in their jobs. Students wrote five real world problems based on the mathematics used by the person interviewed. The class worked through the problems and found that estimation was often a helpful strategy. (PDD)

Presents five principles to help communities establish school-based primary care centers linking community health and social services with educational systems. The principles encompass community participation; early assessment of community needs; integration of health and human services with educational services through an interdisciplinary,…

In order for local Native American cultures to be included in the curricula of the lower grades of public schools, Indian parents and community members must represent their community to the school board and establish a presence in the wider school community. Presents assertive, persistent, and well-informed strategies to build positive…

The Lower Kuskokwim School District in southwest Alaska developed Yup'ik language materials to support the curriculum and, trained school staff in bilingual practices. The district school in Quinhagak adopted Yup'ik as the primary language of instruction through fifth grade, taught by Yup'ik-speaking teachers. The tribal council offered support in…

Details the efforts of the city of Columbus and Columbus Public Schools to effectively communicate through an established standing committee and to encourage the joint use of property and facilities. The agenda included telecommunications infrastructure promotion, neighborhood revitalization, school safety, and the Urban Infrastructure Recovery…

Outlines the development of the New Hampshire Community Technical College System (NHCTCS), including its transfer program, noncredit continuing-education courses, and community services. States that under the current proactive leadership, NHCTCS is poised to expand and intensify its mission to provide economic and community development for all New…

Describes a college service-learning project addressing a crucial need for school-age child care within the community. While creating and implementing the after-school program, students took responsibility for their decisions, cooperated to solve problems and delegate tasks, and developed leadership and self-efficacy. The result was student…

Chronicles the emergence of community service in the United States, beginning with the turn-of-the-century collision of capitalism and democracy which generated a crisis of community and profound rethinking of the meaning and practice of charity. Three service "paths" are identified: nonprofit human services organizations; active…

Relational approaches to school reform foster the development of caring relationships among children and teachers at school as a means of effecting children's intellectual, social, and emotional growth. Reviews the fundamental nature and mission of relationally oriented schools, presents model programs, and discusses issues and future directions…

The culture of fear in sanction-oriented schools hinders collaboration across differences in race, color, and culture. Strategies for encouraging active parent involvement include listening, supporting teacher leadership, inviting parents to help teachers develop coherent education goals, focusing on curriculum and instruction, and acknowledging…