School construction is a politically charged challenge. Examples from a number of districts illustrate controversy over bond issue elections, facility planning, bidding, site selection, and new attendance boundaries. The real key to success is getting the community involved. (MLF)

The director of the National School Safety Center describes the operations of the center and joins three co-authors to discuss the relationship between school climate and school discipline. The authors define six conditions essential to positive climate and explore methods for involving local agencies in achieving these conditions. (PGD)

Describes the Graduate Urban Education Program collaboratively developed by the school of Education at Florida International University, the Dade County (Florida) Public Schools, and the United Teachers of Dade for teachers in Chapter 1 elementary schools. The program helps teachers apply their professional training sucessfully in the urban…

Describes the process and implementation of the Adopt-a-School program designed to get the business community involved in Memphis (TN) public schools. Defines considerations for selecting adoptors and resource materials and activities for adoptors and adoptees. Explains program monitoring and implementation in rural and urban areas. (SB)

In this address, the District of Columbia Public School System superintendent refers to several recent educational studies and comments on the need for school/student discipline, computer literacy, standards of performance, and the formation of coalitions and partnerships with outside groups. (CJM)

This document is a chapter in "The Principles and Practice of Educational Management," which aims to provide a systematic and analytical introduction to the study of educational management. The structure of the book reflects the main substantive areas of educational leadership and management, and most of the major themes are covered in the…

This report examines the work of 66 community groups organizing to improve public education in low-performing schools and districts. These largely local, community-based organizations focus on engaging public school parents, low-income families, and students in school improvement efforts. Their goals are to build political power and to challenge…

Historical views about individuals and communities shape the ways that researchers interact with people and their communities. The European settlers thought of Native Americans as savages in need of socialization. Accordingly, the first researchers had little concern for the needs of Native people and their communities and sought to impose Western…

Over the last two decades, the co-authors of this book have worked together to build a tradition of intellectual freedom within public schools. The book describes their struggles as cultural workers, the pedagogical and legal strategies they employed, the resistance they encountered, the lessons they learned, and the impact that they have seen on…

A study examined the role of paraeducators as liaisons to the local community. Phase 1 of the study involved interviews with four paraeducators and three teachers, each of whom was part of a rural teacher/paraeducator team that used the paraeducator's background in the community to enhance school activities. Phase 2 involved five group sessions…

The paper discusses the process and logistical experiences of developing science, technology and mathematics (SMT) curricula materials at the primary and secondary school levels in Uganda. The author developed the approach as part of the Female Education in Mathematics and Science in Africa (FEMSA) project. FEMSA is an Africa regional project that…

The systemic reform exemplified by the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990 (KERA) requires the coupling of top-down state mandates with bottom-up advocacy and leadership. This research on an Eastern Kentucky school district details the dynamics at the district's main high school, as people struggle to build both a community of learners within…

This report examines the community organizational structures and the views of community and organizational leaders of the New York City area Dominican and Colombian populations. Community public policy needs are identified, and the degree to which these leaders feel needs are being met is explored. In the first stage of research, the organizations…

This discussion guide is designed to help people examine the state of work in their community, explore changes, and strategize about what they can do to forge creative solutions and improve the community's worklife. It is especially appropriate for use in a study circle setting. The discussion materials are arranged into four sessions: (1) the…

A federally-funded program to train community volunteers in techniques for tutoring students of English as a Second Language (ESL) is reported. The program trained 97 tutors in ESL instruction and 142 in basic literacy teaching. The report describes efforts to recruit and select both volunteers and students, outlines the program's costs, assesses…