Describes an elementary school creative writing program involving lay-readers, which leads to increased creativity, more enthusiasm for writing, and better writing skills. (DCS)

The educational objective of this user's guide is to provide parents, teachers, and administrators with a resource to catalyze a wide range of partnerships and projects. Schools work best when everyone is actively involved so as to demonstrate democracy first hand. This program is designed to promote the democratic process of active citizenship in…

Asserts that music can maintain its own integrity as a discipline and still be part of a holistic educational experience for children. Describes how performance "showcases" or interdisciplinary student group presentations highlight student learning and enhance motivation. Discusses positive results and barriers to full implementation of…

Asserts art educators must increase public relations efforts to ensure parents and community understand importance of art education in the general curriculum. Describes a school community relations campaign for an elementary art education program. Includes suggestions for identifying goals for the campaign, meeting the interests of the audience,…

This paper discusses the problems faced by Minnesota's Supporting Diversity in Schools organization in communicating their goal of making schools responsive to students of differing ethnic backgrounds. It was found that using terms such as "multicultural curriculum" and "isolation of schools and communities of color from one…

One of a series of practitioner-oriented newsletters, the document provides elementary school principals with strategies for implementing effective public relations in the public schools. The article describes ways in which principals can assess their school's public relations needs, coordinate the various elements of communication, and evaluate…

This newsletter describes the 6-year Supporting Diversity in Schools (SDS) project that seeks to create school environments free of racial prejudice and privilege. It briefly describes the program's working themes: (1) giving a voice to people who have traditionally been silent in the shaping of classroom practices; (2) developing pride in…

Demographic changes are causing leaders in education, business and civic affairs to address new questions about racial and ethnic diversity. What opportunities does diversity provide? What difficulties does it create? What changes are needed in the ways that people look at problems, define solutions and do the everyday business of their lives? The…