Describes how Geneva School District (New York) built a positive school-police relationship and developed a community intervention team, which includes the position of community intervention specialist. Describes the purpose, principles, structure, and composition of a threat-assessment team. Includes threat-assessment procedures, based on a…

Introduces the special issue by providing information on what community learning centers and after-school programs provide, what impact they have on youth and their communities, the outlook for continued funding, and the relationship between after-school programs and community education. (Contains 20 references.) (JOW)

Strategies for building effective extension-community partnerships around food use the following principles: building on community assets, involving diverse stakeholder involvement, being guided by community interests, and integrating research with practice. Strategies encourage partners to develop common goals, clarify roles and responsibilities,…

Offers school administrators tips for sharpening their public relations skills. Educators interviewed by the press should do research beforehand, answer practice questions, listen before speaking, admit ignorance, make every statement count, be circumspect, ask for a review copy, attend to follow-up, keep a clipping file, and maintain open…

Outlines a successful approach for working with lay advisory committees. Recommends the use of written procedures, orientation activities, time to socialize, and recognition of the committee members' contributions. (DMM)

To help determine how limited funding resources might best improve school facilities, the Beaufort County (South Carolina) Schools instituted a broad-based citizens' facilities planning committee. After assessing needs, visiting schools, and gathering sufficient information, a coherent plan was adopted and a countywide bond referendum introduced…

Dynamic home-school-community partnerships established through site councils can help produce improved schools that serve their communities better. Parents on the council must be careful to represent diverse segments of the student body. Members need both proper orientation and a constitution to be effective. Includes three references. (MLH)

Considers a good institutional image and effective public relations to be vital to the health of Catholic educational programs. Offers guidelines for using press releases, working with the media, writing articles, and sponsoring media events. Recommends the use of a logo, motto, and brochure. (DMM)

The critiquing and evaluating of resumes and cover letters by business people is important to college students. They know before submitting them what employers expect. (JOW)

Describes 14 organizations, programs, and research centers studying school communities: Academic Development Institute; Alliance for Achievement Network; ASPIRA; Center on Education in the Inner Cities; Center for Literacy; Center for Research in Human Development and Education; Center for the School Community; Coalition of Essential Schools;…

Defines five elements needed in the construction of a sound theater program: curriculum, artistic quality, program participation, community and parental support, and administrative and faculty recognition. Discusses the importance of these elements. Concludes that, although implementing this program takes time, the effort is worth it. (PA)

To help the community encourage reading, a Texas elementary school's community involvement committee established a children's lending library in a nearby rent-subsidized apartment complex. Several thousand books were donated over a two-week period, hours have been extended, and teachers and staff generously donate time and expertise to manage the…

In Boston, the Urban District Assessment Consortium's accountability assessments evaluate at the school/district level. Community members participate in test development, administration, rating, and reporting. Community involvement enables consideration of multiple perspectives and equitable expectations and opportunities. (SK)

Urges community colleges to embrace community-based programing and accept the challenge of bringing diverse people together to work for the good of the larger community. (DMM)

Community-based education can improve citizen attitudes. This conclusion was reached by study to explore the basis for attitudes about school performance and input in policymaking expressed by citizens in a community with an identified "community-based" education program and those in a community without such a program. (Author/JOW)