This guide for policymakers at all levels illuminates common ground between education reform and service learning and encourages the inclusion of service learning as a viable partner in education reform efforts. Leading school reform models are analyzed with a focus on their compatibility with service learning. Also included is a description of…

Despite strong agreement on the importance of parent involvement, most schools, districts, and states still need help in developing comprehensive programs of school, family, and community partnerships. This revised handbook translates lessons learned over 20 years of research and fieldwork into practical solutions for program development. The book…

Even the best schools must undertake a systematic and continuous appraisal of their current condition and future directions if they are to remain valuable and viable contributors to their community's quality of life. It is clear that schools cannot undertake that appraisal unless it is done in full partnership with the communities in which they…

The Free to Grow pilot project, developed by the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science and its Head Start project, operated between 1994 and 1999. Following a 2-year planning and development stage, 5 project sites went on to complete the 3-year implementation phase in California, Colorado, Kentucky, New York, and Puerto Rico; the…

As schools, families, and communities begin to come together, everyone benefits. A mother who teaches her son's class about traditional uses of native plants passes on important cultural knowledge and builds her own public speaking skills. A science class that tests the water quality at a nearby reservoir learns about local environmental issues,…

Current research reveals that schools, families, and communities need strong leadership if they are going to shift away from the traditional models of involvement in which school personnel dominate the interactions. When school leaders create conditions that foster collaborative relationships among the school, families, and the community, the…

This report summarizes some of the parent and community involvement activities for AISD during the 2001-2002 school year.

The National Parent Teacher Association's Television Viewing Skills Project uses regional workshops, publications, a television review panel, and other activities to help children learn how to watch television in a critical, evaluative fashion. Family activities that can help children understand how television affects their lives are suggested.…

Research conducted to determine the degree to which federally mandated citizen involvement had been achieved in 15 Texas Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title VII Citizen Advisory Committees demonstrated, through the application of typology, that at no point was a high level of participation fully accomplished. (Author/CM)

A nonschool community agency, such as the county health department, may provide leadership and facilitate the emergence of realistic school sex education programs. An "awareness" conference attended by school district personnel and community members can lead to a committee to develop objectives for a sex education program. (JN)

The PTA subscribes to the view that education for sexuality begins at birth and is significantly and irrevocably influenced by parent-child relationships before the school years begin. Thirteen state PTA's participated in pilot and demonstration projects to develop public awareness of the need for comprehensive community sponsored sex education.…

Describes Emeritus College, a college within the College of Marin (California), designed to meet the continuing education needs of adults in or preparing for retirement. Discusses its development in terms of a preliminary needs assessment, obtaining funds, staffing, community involvement, curriculum planning, and improving program accessibility.…

Project Work/Learn at Birmingham Southern College, an attempt to build two-way college/community bridges, is described. Two-way requirements for building college/community bridges include: clear and distinct purposes for persons and institutions, mutual utilization of resources, two-way activity, and two-way management. (MLW)

Architecture as social action is discussed with the challenge being to find ways to make skills sensitive and responsive to local contexts and permit architecture to assume its appropriate form. Some techniques discussed are: storefront offices, architectural clinics, planning councils, mapping and gaming. (MLW)

The need for citizen involvement in foreign policymaking is discussed. Two factors in the inability to perceive, interpret, and participate in international dimensions of our lives and institutions include: (l) the socialization process through which we learn about the world, and (2) perception of little opportunity for personal participation in…