It is in the interest of federal and local governments to enlarge the power of community and neighborhood organizations for the sake of effective governing. During this era of budgetary and tax restraint, these organizations must be brought into the process of service delivery and development. (Author/RLV)

Sheds light on a growing conflict that has surfaced between urban communities and teachers' unions: the conflict over the sharing of power in school decision making. Discusses the actions of the Philadelphia Parents Union. (Author/IRT)

Gaming, an approach to problem solving that engages a real life situation, is a technique particularly appealing for design students because it permits learning about the process of change in a dynamic environment requiring periodic decisions. Two games about consensus decisions are discussed: KEEPS and Senior Center Game. (MLW)

Volunteering is defined and discussed, and the new volunteer on the international scene, the "citizen diplomat," is profiled. The National Council for Community Services to International Visitors (CONSERV), a national program that coordinates services at the community level with national "sending" agencies, is described. (MLW)

To serve poor youngsters and their families, South Bay Union School District developed its own preschool campus, the VIP (Very Important Preschoolers) Village. The program depends on strong administrative support, planned staff development, parent involvement, parent education programs, community partnerships, curriculum/assessment alignment, and…

Describes a study investigating student involvement in community college organizations. Indicates that organization leaders were more involved in campus activities than ordinary members and nonmembers and that students who were highly involved in campus life tended to view community involvement more positively and anticipated engaging in community…

Examines Puerto Rican women's participation in informal child care networks using an integrative theoretical perspective that explores the intersection of race, gender, and class. By examining both cultural and structural indicators of social support, researchers reveal Puerto Rican womens' belief in the importance of extended kinship networks as…

Looking at structural issues that have influenced the development of Welsh and English in modern Wales, this article examines lessons gleaned from the construction of a comprehensive bilingual social order. Evidence is included from a variety of sources concerned with language and cultural reproduction. (16 references) (Author/CK)

Discusses various aspects of public library funding, including strategic planning; understanding the needs of the community; community-based fundraising; local tax support; financial management, including identifying costs for services and maximizing the use of current resources; and identifying funding sources. (LRW)

Describes the Community Reading Month (CRM) initiative in Iowa City, Iowa; its goals are to promote the value of reading and to build a sense of community. Topics include the development of CRM, increased reading scores of Iowa City's elementary school students, activities for people of all ages, and planning and evaluation. (AEF)

University of California Sea Grant Extension Program provides training and technical assistance to fishers, farmers, planners, and conservationists on projects such as coastal ecosystem health, marine environmental protection, fisheries management, aquaculture, salmon habitat restoration, and controlling nonpoint-source pollution; supports…

Profiles Clay County (West Virginia) High School, example of U.S. School of Excellence in rural, poverty area. Explains positive role of school principal. Details successful attendance incentives and dropout program. Describes examples of community involvement. (TES)

The Comer Process is a research-based school improvement model stressing collaboration, consensus, and communication for problem solving in academic, social, and staff development areas. The process allows school staff and parents to work together and to decide what is in the best interest of children. (MLF)

Lists 13 whole language projects and possibilities selected from many schools which can be used as a source of ideas to stimulate parents' engagement in whole language activities. Shares the efforts of 1 school, and describes how parents are involved in promoting reading and writing. (MG)