Two new components of the Center for Community Education Facility Planning project are the provision of planning assistance to community groups and the development of a public relations campaign to reinforce cooperative planning efforts. (Author/MLF)

New York City's community school boards are too weak and buffeted by too many special interest groups to effectively represent parent interests or serve as successful agents in the decentralization process, though at least one board and the parents it represents show that stronger action is possible. (Author/PGD)

Reports the results of a nationwide survey of the organization of school systems with 50,000 or more students. The study examined whether each system was centralized or decentralized and, if decentralized, the structure of the decentralization, the reasons the district is decentralized, and the extent of community participation. (IRT)

Citizen groups can help school boards by independently gathering faculty and administrator opinions without being a threat to either group, something that board-sponsored inquiry groups cannot do. (Author/IRT)

A survey of the community to determine health education priorities helped to develop a relevant curriculum in the schools. (JD)

Provides a list of the national and regional Lau Centers which provide assistance to school districts in resolving desegregation problems related to English language ability of non-English speaking students. (NQ)

Describes a project of the Hoosier National Forest that uses a combination of public involvement and a unique partnership with Indiana University to protect an abused wilderness using interpretation. (JRH)

Beset by bitter budget and teacher-salary disputes, a northern New Hampshire school district engaged citizens in thoughtful dialogs about children's learning by adopting an educational town-meeting format. Success hinged on courageous leadership; educators' listening attitude; a safe, respectful debating environment; teacher and union…

Journals and a survey of 93 nursing students involved in community engagement through service learning projects indicated that 90.9% agreed service learning helped their understanding of the community role; 72.8% felt service learning enhanced course learning; only 54.6% said service learning influenced career plans or goals. (Contains 15…

Case studies depict dilemmas in nursing research involving protection of community rights and community informed consent. Outlines research guidelines derived from communitarian ethical frameworks that consider beneficence, justice, and respect for autonomy in the context of community. (Contains 58 references.) (SK)

Considers the development of theatre programmes within war or conflict affected regions. Discusses how the practical and theoretical dilemmas, which are always apparent in applied or community theatre projects, are heightened by the dynamics of these violent situations. Touches on a few of these concerns in relation to the author's work within the…

Whole-community organizing is a new approach to community change that is supported by theories of social relations and interaction. It uses an asset-based approach to community development. Empirical studies have identified ways to mobilize community assets and build community from inside out. (Contains 58 references.) (SK)

Recounts the process of writing guiding curricular documents for the University of Minnesota - General College's basic writing program. Describes how this was a community-building process that involved a wide group of instructors and others connected to the program. Includes the opening statement, as well as the goals and principles of the…

The New Literacy Studies' assumptions of socially embedded literacy practices and multiple literacies support the following literacy education models: (1) involving communities in programs; (2) encouraging learner invention of literacy practices; and (3) helping learners adapt and expand literacy practices. (SK)

Nursing graduate students (n=79) conducted a variety of community engagement through service learning projects. Qualitative and quantitative analyses indicated that students were exposed to low-income populations and increased their knowledge of health issues and the relationship between socioeconomic status and health. (Contains 13 references.)…