First, third, and fifth graders master advanced vocabulary through a principal's "word for the day" strategy. Volunteer students look up the word in the dictionary, write the definition on the board, use it in a sentence, and create a poster. Retention is periodically tested and prizes awarded for top performance. (MJL)

Afterschool programs provide many opportunities to engage youth in community service activities, which can teach youth valuable skills, help them realize their potential to meet community needs and foster a sense of civic responsibility. Afterschool programs also successfully recruit, train and utilize volunteers to work with youth in afterschool…

The "Book Buddies" manual and "Emergent Reader" training videos provide comprehensive and easy-to-implement guidelines for setting up and running a successful tutorial program in the early grades. Portraying the "Book Buddies" model in practice, this 44-minute videotape, entitled "Emergent Reader--Mid-Year"…

Although several studies have documented the benefits to undergraduate college students of participating in service-learning and general community service, little research has examined the effects of such service participation on the service-related attitudes and behaviors of alumni. In this study, 481 alumni of a religious-affiliated liberal arts…

With a continuing emphasis on improving student reading achievement across the nation, many elementary educators are exploring the idea of initiating a volunteer reading tutoring program. Although individuals associated with tutoring programs may think about implementation issues, often the focus is on program location, the recruitment and…

This is an investigation of the impact that a volunteer-based violence prevention program is having in a large urban school district located in the Midwest. The program addresses behavioral and violence prevention issues in the school setting with the hopes of reducing the factors that might put a student at-risk for school failure. The long-term…

This directory lists the names of volunteer groups and individuals who transcribe and record books and other reading materials under the Library of Congress' National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped program. The listing is alphabetical by state. Each entry is assigned an index number and specifies such services as braille…

The occasion of the anniversary of Andrew Carnegie's transfer of wealth from business to philanthropy provides an opportunity to reflect on Carnegie's role in philanthropy and philanthropy's role, responsibilities, and challenges in the nation. Citizen philanthropy has been an important constituent of participatory democracy in the United States,…

Responding to the America Reads Challenge and the increasing emphasis on using volunteer tutors to help all children learn to read, the activities and suggestions in this easy-to-use book are from the journal "The Reading Teacher" and are classroom tested. It provides instructional tips for teachers and tutors who are collaboratively…

This study evaluated Generation II of the Faith in Action program (which united faith-based organizations and volunteers in providing in-home care), assessing how many original grantees still served their communities, numbers of volunteers and clients involved with the programs, services provided, and program growth since receiving surveys of…

A guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate (CASA) is appointed by a judge to speak for the child's best interests in court hearings related to allegations of child abuse or neglect. This paper examines the need for more American Indians to become involved as volunteer guardians ad litem. The first part provides historical information…

This booklet is part of a series of reports on "hot topics" in education. It discusses mentoring, a strategy that has become popular over the past decade. Pairing students with adult volunteers or older students who provide friendship, guidance, and support has been shown to be helpful to students and to provide benefits to mentors.…

Given the strong interest in school-based mentoring programs, Public/Private Ventures visited two exemplary mentoring programs chosen by the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA). One program was in Green County, Oklahoma, and the other in Jacksonville, Florida. Researchers talked with parents, teachers, children, and mentors to learn more…

Article discussed the spirit of cooperation between Johnston College and San Bernardino Valley College, California in volunteer efforts in a variety of community programs. (RK)

What schools are doing by way of using their staffs more effectively in the instruction of youth is explored here as the author reports his findings in NASSP's exemplary program files. (Editor)