If current trends continue, a disproportionate number of America's children will grow up poor, undereducated, and untrained. Skills for Growing, a multifaceted K-5 program designed to develop character, citizenship, and positive social skills, offers a collaborative approach to socialization of children in isolation. (MLH)

Schools can harness the power of the media to tell communities about exciting things they are doing. This article presents five steps to getting good publicity: developing a media contact list, writing a press release, sending the press release to the media contacts, calling the media contacts, and being persistent. (SM)

Describes briefly the way things have always been at conferences on school issues, and suggests an alternative scenario for deriving the maximum advantage from attending such conferences and for making this weapon for change more effective. (SR)

Describes the efforts of the Tacoma, Washington, school system to boost student achievement. The district implemented high standards and promoted parent involvement. Other features included a staff-training program, a revamped summer-school program, and a cooperative program with local colleges and universities. (LMI)

Suggests that one way to counteract the negative effects of violence on Head Start children is to employ a program of early prevention education. Describes NHSA's Partnership Project to expand the mental health component at Head Start sites, noting five issues that must be addressed: approach, adequate staffing, referral process, accessibility,…

Reviews "The Community as Classroom" by Candida Gillis. Asserts that the book systematically shows how to take a segment of society--in this case, the elderly--and use that community in the language arts classroom. (MM)

A framework for applying the vision-building process to community education includes (1) rationale for change and need for clear vision; (2) community profile; (3) new values and beliefs; (4) divergent thinking; (5) creating the vision; (6) building the roadmap; (7) enabling participation; and (8) restructuring communities. (SK)

Accomplishing the readiness (National Education) goal is contingent on cooperation with families, nonschool providers of care and education to young children (including Head Start, family day care, and for-profit programs), other community institutions (including health and nutrition, social services, welfare, employment and training, civic and…

Describes the licensed, Medicaid-certified adult day-care center at Virginia Tech, which provides research, teaching, and public service opportunities for faculty and students. The processes of design, funding, licensure and certification, and marketing are explained. (SK)

Through Community Career Services the University of Missouri Career Center offers career counseling to adults. It has a three-level fee structure, attempts to provide appropriate materials and services for adults in career transition, and uses local media to publicize the program. (SK)

Discusses bringing local writers into the classroom--how to locate such writers and how to prepare for and organize the visit. (SR)

Discusses the promise and problems of conflict resolution programs operating in the schools. Argues that, with open channels of communication, ongoing evaluation, and student control, such programs can bring long-term benefits to schools and communities. (SR)

According to a recent survey of American School Counselor Association members, the tendency to use non-school-certified personnel to serve school counselor functions is common. Although the association strongly supports collaborative efforts with community agencies, the group is concerned that such services are often provided by improperly trained…

Asserts that therapeutic gains for children may be maximized if important systems serving their mental health needs collaborate. Contends that collaborative efforts between clinic- and school-based practitioners may increase ecologically valid treatment options. Explores both the gains and the potential pitfalls that may arise when school- and…

Since 1988, the Chicago Public Schools have instigated sweeping educational reforms, including decentralization and the establishment of school/community councils empowered to make important decisions, such as the hiring of principals. Although the councils' organizational model is imperfect, more parents and community members are becoming…