Climate change education in the southeastern United States can be challenging. Due to economic factors, as well as the conservative political and faith perspectives typical of the region, high proportions (40%) of the population are not engaged, not convinced, or doubt Earth's climate is changing or that climate change has anthropogenic causes.…

The persistent failure of public schooling in low-income communities constitutes one of our nation's most pressing civil rights and social justice issues. Many school reformers recognize that poverty, racism, and a lack of power held by these communities undermine children's education and development, but few know what to do about it. "A…

Over the past two decades, community organizing has emerged as an effective force for school improvement. In the context of shrinking education funding, stubborn opportunity and achievement gaps between low-income and wealthy children and between children of color and White children, and polarizing debate on school reform, community organizing…

FOR 8 WEEKS IN THE SUMMER OF 1964, MORE THAN 2,000 NEGRO YOUNGSTERS, AVERAGING 15 YEARS OF AGE BUT RANGING FROM 6 TO 26 AND OLDER, WENT TO FREEDOM SCHOOLS IN MISSISSIPPI. THE STUDENTS WERE TAUGHT BY TEACHERS WHO MET NO OFFICIAL QUALIFICATIONS. THEY ASSEMBLED IN CHURCH BASEMENTS OR ON THE STREETS. THEY CAME AND WENT WITHOUT ATTENDANCE RECORDS,…

Brooks Farm is an independent Black farming community unique in the Mississippi Delta. A community case study shows that, despite declining population and resources, Brooks Farm has drawn on the strength of its traditional institutions (family, churches, civic groups) to sustain community life and to continue to provide services to the elderly,…

The purpose of this study was to determine changes made in the dietary levels of families participating in the Expanded Foods and Nutrition Program in Choctaw County, Mississippi. The educational work was done by county professionals who were trained by the home economist and who then taught the homemakers through individual home visits. Data were…

General research by an anthropologist and experiences of an educator during a 2-year period form the basis for this report on education of Mississippi Choctaw Indians. A discussion of the physical and cultural environment of the Mississippi Choctaw is followed by a description of the organization, facilities, personnel, and programs of Choctaw…

The original purpose of the project (of which this book is an outgrowth) was to investigate the processes of value assimilation and behavioral change; the book has come to describe the economic absorption and cultural integration of Mexican Americans and Negroes into a predominantly Anglo society. The host society consisted of Anglos; they more…

Spurred by the economic boom of the late 1990s and a decades-old national standards movement that increased both the transparency of assessment results and the awareness of urban public school failure, communities across the country are turning to community organizing as a strategy for improving public education. As organizations confront the…

Describes how an undersupported rural elementary school in Mississippi became a model school with the unique Voyages curriculum. Under the dynamic, professional leadership of its principal, the school and teachers involved the entire community, local legislators, and others to gain support and funds for its innovative program that created an…

A Cooperative Extension Service action program in seven Mississippi counties, utilizing a nonprofessional approach to reach disadvantaged families with educational programs, is reviewed. Subprofessionals were utilized as systemic links between professional adult educators (home economists) and disadvantaged clientele. The report is divided into…

This document describes the essential elements of jobs for the Future's (JFF) four-state work force preparation policy proces. It begins with a brief outline of the following five steps: (1) use information to clarify necessary action; (2) create regional and community forums; (3) educate and empower the citizenry; (4) assess employer practices…