Describes the movement to make new assessments powerful levers for school improvement, restructuring, and accountability. Suggests the dangers posed by accountability-inspired external assessments. The primary condition for effective assessment is that teachers, principals, and the community be at the center of the assessment enterprise. Profiles…

Discusses research-based guidelines for designing effective service-learning programs. Success requires establishing clear goals, projecting desired outcomes, involving staff who support experiential learning, engaging administrators who support flexibility and staff development, involving community partners in planning, incorporating evaluation…

A survey of the University of South Carolina's AmeriCorps project solicited the opinions of participating college students aged 19-22 and young adults aged 23-35. Their community service experience built self-esteem, developed leadership skills, and fostered compassion. (SK)

Reviews relevant literature on systemic change and community participation. Explores leadership styles of principals in four community-minded middle schools. Administrators should be aware of their individual leadership styles and their effects on others' behavior. Principals wishing to foster empowerment in schools should move toward a…

Confronted with deteriorating facilities, outmoded technology, and low staff morale, a Mississippi principal improved communication with staff and parents. Staff sent home bimonthly student progress reports and monthly newsletters listing low-cost, unbudgeted items needed by teachers and encouraging teacher/parent dialog. They also asked for help…

Discusses the challenges of teacher retention and proposes that systems thinking can be used to address those challenges. Considers five strategies for retaining teachers. Suggests that the five strategies discussed can provide comprehensive programs to reduce teacher attrition and create stable teacher teams. (SG)

Describes successful site-based parent/community involvement program at Central School District of San Bernardino County, California. (PKP)

Discusses the National Science Foundation's (NSF) National Science and Technology Week (NSTW), which provides opportunities for people to discover and express interest in science and technology. Includes information on teaching activities, business partnerships, and community involvement. (NB)

The example of a school-to-career program in Louisiana illustrates steps for achieving the sustainability of such initiatives: (1) develop high-quality programs keyed to national standards; (2) generate enthusiasm and consensus building; (3) garner business, education, and government support; (4) let intermediaries make the case; and (5) use media…

The public image of adolescents tends to be very negative, and there is a disconnect between adults and youth. However, numerous examples of what is right with today's youth exist. Many communities are formally or informally involved in youth initiatives. Stresses the importance of adult involvement in adolescents' lives, noting social norms about…

Culturally relevant, ongoing project-based learning was facilitated in a predominantly African American urban elementary school via a community garden project. The project involved teachers, students, university members, and community members. This article evaluates the project through two classroom-community collaboration models, noting common…

Discusses five steps that libraries should take to be able to secure funding for adaptive technology: research the need; with the help of community partners, identify a solution to the need; get a commitment from community partners; research funding sources; and gather results and get ready to start. (DGM)

Argues that many of the needs youth have are determined by where and how they live. Suggests youth services providers should take a constructivist approach by helping communities and organizations create services that provide and nurture caring attitudes and behaviors. Presents recommendations for modifying cultures and organizing caring…

A survey of 45 managers of South African welfare agencies found that post-apartheid policy seeks to increase community participation and decrease racial inequities in governing boards. However, social integration in terms of race, gender, and class has not yet been achieved. (Contains 34 references.) (SK)

Describes a Community Literacy Day that attempts to involve as many family and local community members as possible in a positive and enjoyable celebration of literacy. Notes that the objective was to begin to form a community as an interacting population of various kinds of individuals with common interests living together in a common area--a…