Nine crucial issues in secondary education are identified: (1) self-actualization skills, (2) humane values, (3) social survival skills, (4) transfer of social heritage, (5) utilization of total environment, (6) program content, (7) organizational renewal, (8) optimum resource usage, (9) societal participation in educational improvement. (MB)

Discusses methodology and results of a study of participatory educational planning. Objectives were to (1) understand the social and attitudinal forces that drive people to join educational policy-making groups, and (2) assess effect of organizational factors pertinent to the particular policy-level activity upon the intensity and quality of…

Describes an adult education course designed to stimulate public awareness in planning matters, and compares the course with another differently planned program with the same purpose. Notes that given the concentration of resources and cooperation between adult education and community development agencies, interest in planning issues can be…

Describes the widespread parental involvement in Catholic schools, such as in parent-teacher organizations. Discusses the importance of these organizations in creating a sense of community. Describes how the development of adult religious education classes and the collaboration between parent organizations can create a sense of unity among parents…

Advocates student learning portfolios as an effective assessment technique. Explains how to devise a process that involves community expert partners in judging a student portfolio contest in technical writing. Discusses how to sustain community involvement in program assessment and describes how portfolio assessment led to the creation of a…

Alexandria (Virginia) Community Network Preschools is a private, nonprofit preschool system that serves over 125 low-income children and their families. Network Preschools follow the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation's principles for a superior early-childhood curriculum. The four schools use developmentally appropriate practices, enable…

Examines the scope of volunteer efforts in Coldwater, Ohio, a small rural community of approximately 4,400 people. Describes how diverse volunteer organizations developed to address community needs and their impact on community improvement, local activities, and area schools. (LP)

Discusses that the best way to lower HIV transmission is to focus on educating tribal members about how HIV is transmitted and how it can be avoided. Points out that tribal colleges and universities have the connections needed to build effective outreach programs. Discusses how Si Tanka University at South Dakota addressed the challenge of AIDS…

Reviews the current theoretical and empirical literature on community involvement in schools, describing different rationales for community involvement. Discusses four major forms of school-community partnerships (business, university, service learning, and school-linked service integration) and factors influencing their implementation and…

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)