To support proactive leadership, the Aspen Institute Education & Society Program proposes five potential strategies system leaders can use to implement the ideas proposed in the "Call to Action" and, ultimately, to pursue social, emotional, and academic development (SEAD) through a racial equity lens. The strategies discussed in this…

The years between childhood and adulthood are full of new experiences and new challenges. This guide is designed to help young people and adults participate in a study circle on youth issues. The study circles, which are small-group, democratic, peer-led discussions, offer a way for participants to work together as full partners in community…

Most of our public problems--from crime to racial tensions to substance abuse--directly involve and affect young people. The goal of this guide is to create opportunities for young people and adults to talk candidly about youth issues, develop new ideas, and work together to implement these ideas. It fosters democratic dialogue by advocating the…

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…

A study circle is a group of diverse members of a community who meet with a facilitator to find common ground for solutions and actions. The Study Circles Resource Center proposes a program of Community-Wide Study Circles to talk about student success and develop ideas for action in the community and schools. This brochure provides a rational for…

This package includes a guide for formation and implementation of community study circles on cultural diversity, an abridged version of the same text entitled "A Busy Citizen's Discussion Guide", for study circle participants, and a 23-minute videotape recording. The main guide begins with a section on the need for community conversations, based…

This discussion guide considers the issues of racism and race relations in the nation and in its communities and recognizes the importance of public dialogue as a critical step in making progress on those issues. The discussion guide is designed to help organize and facilitate the kind of dialogue about racism and race relations that can make a…

This discussion guide is designed to help students engage in the kind of dialogue about racism and race relations that can make a difference in their community. In study circles (small-group, democratic, participatory discussions), students have the chance to get to know one another, consider different points of view, explore disagreements, and…

Presents six steps for organizing community forum programs: establish forum steering committees; enlist community organization cosponsors; involve local media; develop related activities and community events; provide for panelist and moderator practice sessions; and develop forum promotional plans. Includes action steps for the forum coordinator.…

This guide is designed as a tool to help members of the education sector involve community members in discussions about their local schools and learn how to become involved in the process of improving education in their community. The first half of the guide presents basic material for conducting a four- to seven-session discussion program based…

Part of a series designed to help community groups engage in discussion on the possibility of individual and community transformation, this guide explores the issues of stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. Characteristics of stereotyping and factors producing prejudice (personality, learned beliefs, frustration, and economic competition)…

Discussion by Native American community groups of the design of relevant curriculum is encouraged through reading this paper, working on suggested activities and questions, and applying the information to improve local situations. Wholistic curriculum is compared to the tradition of how to perform a sacred ceremony, a description of what is to be…

This guide is designed to help community members have productive conversations about how schools and communities can work together to meet the challenge of educating youth in today's society. The foreword presents a rationale for community discussions regarding improving education, and the introduction highlights new challenges facing schools. The…

This manual provides a tool for training community-based primary school teachers with a focus on a child-centered approach. There are 34 sections: (1) "Who an Affective Teacher Is"; (2) "How Children Learn"; (3) "Schemes of Work" and "Records of Work"; (4) "The Lesson"; (5) "Lesson Plan";…