In 1993, California became the second state to permit the creation of charter schools--innovative public schools operated by groups of parents, teachers, and community members under a contract or charter with a local school board. This paper provides an initial examination of the state's first charter schools based on research on organizational…

This report results from regional forums across the country to assess the current state of nonprofit arts in the United States. The report describes a cautionary tale about this nation's cultural legacy, the economic and social conditions surrounding the nonprofit arts, compartmentalization of the arts in community life, the place of the arts in…

Interviews are the central focus of inquiry studies in the elementary school classroom described by an experienced teacher. The interview is the major source of new information and concepts. Through questions, discussions, role playing, and note taking, children make interviews a very active part of learning. Interviews help children see the…

Incorporating community-based programs into the curriculum provides rich, real learning experiences. The VINE (Volunteer-led Investigations of Neighborhood Ecology) Follow-Through Project allows third through fifth grade students to work with trained volunteers in guided inquiries on the ecological habitats found in the schoolyard and the…

This report describes a 3-year research project that developed a community-based consumer-researcher training model and subsequently trained an American Indian consumer-researcher team in Eagle Butte, South Dakota. For this project, consumers were defined as American Indians with disabilities, their families, and rehabilitation service providers.…

Alcohol, tobacco, and drug use prevention is a goal shared by many. Prevention strategies aim to both reduce specific problems resulting from substance abuse and promote healthy development. Past efforts at prevention have included a variety of approaches: (1) prohibition; (2) scare tactics; (3) presenting factual information; (4) affective…

This book explores the history of the Virginia colony from the early 18th century to the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Virginia, the oldest and most prosperous of Great Britain's North American colonies, assumed a leading role in the political life of the colonies. Some in 17th century Virginia had seen political…

Often the burden of promoting science and engineering fairs falls upon science teachers who have to add the organizational activities for the fair to their normal teaching load. This manual is intended to assist in the science fair process by providing information about how to create a team of volunteers to manage the organizational activities.…

This publication contains papers that were presented at an annual meeting of Catholic school principals from across the country. The Academy sought to confront the changes that must be made in Catholic education to meet the needs of this decade and the 21st century. Following the introduction, section 1 contains papers that examine developmentally…

The first guide shows individuals how to organize a series of small-group discussions in order to help participants consider ways to prevent crime and violence in their homes, schools, and neighborhoods. Based on the concept of a study circle--small-group, democratic, and highly participatory--these groups bring people together to discuss…

School-based management and improvement, supported by parent and community involvement, offer the most promising route to lasting reform in the public schools. Following an extensive introduction (part I) outlining school-based management and improvement concepts, the effective schools connection, the Dade County (Florida) experience, and 10…

Despite suspicion in some quarters that refugee resettlement has been unduly expensive, evidence indicates that the Indochinese have made steady progress toward self-sufficiency. The majority of Hmong refugees in Providence, Rhode Island, for example, which has been "heavily impacted" by the large number of Indochinese who have become…

This booklet examines the need for school evaluation in the Catholic elementary school, the basic steps in the evaluation procedure, relevant evaluation criteria, and various evaluation instruments. The document suggests that regular school evaluation is needed to facilitate improvement, to provide a means of accountability, to foster community…

The Carl E. Gilbert School (Buena Park, California) was officially "adopted" by Kraft Foods, Incorporated, in November 1982, creating a community partnership between business and education. Fifty-two Kraft employees volunteered to donate their time for 1 hour a week to help teachers of the kindergarten through the sixth grade. They…

This talk has been prepared as a model for presenters when seeking the support and involvement of organizations and volunteers for the California Search and Serve program. The paper has been designed to permit easy additions and changes for localization and for meeting the specific requirements of the audience. In its present form, the talk is…