Describes a social studies assignment developed for Arizona eighth graders that focuses on Arizona history but also incorporates English, math, and computer programming skills to create a computer program about traveling through the state. Topics discussed include classroom management, computer requirements, community involvement, and interaction…

The principal of Samuel Gompers Fine Arts Option School in Chicago (Illinois) has transformed the culture and atmosphere through emphasizing strong leadership, cracking down on safety issues, developing programs of which the whole school could be proud, emphasizing excellence, and encouraging community involvement. (JB)

Describes the reconstruction and study of a segregated elementary school serving an African-American community before desegregation. Explores the school's role in the community, the nature of the community, local involvement in the school, and the loss to the community when the school was closed in desegregation. (JB)

The Valley School, Flint (Michigan), an ethnically and economically diverse private school, involves parents and the community to a remarkable degree, in establishing policies and in hands-on practice in the classroom. The principal's leadership is a major factor in sustaining the involvement planned for since the school's founding. (SLD)

This special issue on home economists as leaders in the workplace and community was written by home economics teachers, a social worker, and a principal of a middle school. Articles focus on personal philosophy, curriculum content, school mission, and student learning experiences. (JOW)

Although the Chelsea project, in which Boston University has taken control of the Chelsea School System (Massachusetts), has been hampered by political and financial problems, the university is pressing ahead with educational experiments to improve teaching, expand educational opportunities, reduce dropout rates, and increase community…

The National Action Plan for Comprehensive School Health Education (CSHE) was created by a committee of health and education experts who identified six issues integral to successful institutionalization of CSHE: policy; awareness; professional preparation and practice; parent, family, and community involvement; educational outcomes and standards;…

The University of Michigan's Detroit Community Outreach Partnership Center fields student-faculty teams who work on community-development projects with community organizations. Projects are designed to enrich students' experiential learning and build communities' organizational capacity. The relationship has exposed a culture clash between…

Superintendents of nine Oklahoma school districts that voluntarily consolidated were interviewed to identify successful strategies related to teachers, parents and community, students, support staff, administrators, and board members, and to identify unsuccessful strategies. Assuring that students would benefit, addressing job security, and…

Four sections of an undergraduate pharmacy communications course were randomly assigned to include either a traditional laboratory project or a service-learning project. Data collected late in the semester revealed significant positive changes for the service-learning participants in cognitive complexity, social competency, perceived ability to…

A study found that college service learning is more effective as a civic and academic pedagogy when students have: (1) at least 15 to 20 hours of service; (2) frequent contact with the beneficiaries of their service; (3) weekly in-class reflection; (4) ongoing and summative written reflection; and (5) discussions of their service experiences with…

The theme issue of the journal contains 30 articles concerning educational strategies and initiatives designed to strengthen the preparation and recruitment of students for medical education. Most of the articles describe specific programs at the elementary, secondary, higher, and graduate education levels. Others explore aspects of medical…

Profiles the Indiana Exchange Project, an endeavor that uses technology to link fourth-grade teachers and students from three geographically and ethnically diverse communities. The students exchange letters, photographs, response journals, local newspapers, and videotapes of classroom and community activities. Includes an example of a summary…

A sudden increase in Hispanic migrant students in a small, rural Illinois school district necessitated pedagogical, curricular, and philosophical changes, particularly with regard to bilingual education. This experience highlighted the importance of bilingual faculty, policies and programs based on sound theory and research, faculty training in…

Discusses the current movement of volunteerism and service learning, reviews some of its historical and sociological antecedents, defines some of the related terms, and reports on some findings from research and evaluation on the effects it has on participants and society. The author also provides a review of several related articles involving…