This article describes ways that conversations constituted ethnographic research for students and teachers in Kazakhstan. Through dialogues with local community members, students worked as researchers to develop knowledge about cultural patterns and social life. Ethnographic research and writing provided valuable language and research experiences…

This article identifies problems, issues and insights through critical reflection on the rules, written and unwritten, which encroach on the research process in the "Both Ways" project. The project investigates the development and sustainability of remote Aboriginal children's services in the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia.…

This book of case studies highlights 26 municipalities involved in activities related to child care. Cities selected were of different sizes; were located in different parts of the country; and used diverse approaches for developing ways to improve access to affordable, high-quality child care. Each case study was developed through a telephone…

After years of struggling with increasing student enrollments, the Elk Grove Unified School District (Sacramento County, California) conducted two $70 million bond elections to supplement State funding for new schools, improve existing schools, and provide transportation and student support facilities. The 1986 election failed with 64.8 percent…

Reviews programs in the state of Maine that are designed to inventory the natural heritage of critical areas, rare species, and exemplary natural features. Discusses how the information acquired by these programs is being used for public information efforts and educational programs in the schools. (ML)

Reports the major points, conclusions, and effects of a study--expressly intended for members of the Mobile, Alabama, community--that examined the condition of public education in Mobile County School District. (JW)

This report is designed to inform the residents of Denver and the rest of Colorado about the dimensions of the problems caused by alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in the states capital city. The report focuses on: the prevalence of substance abuse and addiction in Denver; the adverse impact of substance abuse on the health and well-being of…

Describes a course which teaches about the world conservation strategy and its application in a local context. Includes goals, participants, instructors, format, evaluation, and future direction of this course cosponsored by Tufts University (Massachusetts) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. (DC)

A publication designed to help primary school teachers teach geography is critically reviewed. An integrated approach for studying the local environment to learn about issues and distant places is presented. Discusses a spiral approach for teaching which indicates what to teach at what age. (DC)

Describes the establishment and results of a study committee asked to review existing pesticide policy, vegetation management programs and provide improvement recommendations in Thurston County, Washington. (MCO)

Describes activities developed by the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University and the Illinois State Library to prepare librarians for a new role in local economic development. Discusses results of a survey on library support for community development in terms of services and business materials collections. (AEF)

The authors examine strategic priorities for local studies libraries in the context of the interactive Web. They examine the implications for access, investigations and the needs of different users. The philosophy that has previously guided local studies is articulated as a number of maxims, taking into account also social inclusion and lifelong…

This article presents a preliminary analysis of a rural junior high school. This school is situated in S town, J county, Shandong province, and, in keeping with the procedure followed for naming the majority of schools in China by location of school + type of school, this school is called S Junior High. J county is one of Shandong's poor counties,…

Advocates including environmental issues balanced with basic science concepts/processes to provide a sound science foundation. Suggests case studies of regional environmental issues to sensitize/motivate students while reflecting complex nature of science/society issues. Issues considered include: fresh water quality, earthquake predication,…

The role of environmental education in helping to understand and solve urban problems is examined. Local issue-centered curriculum and issue-based curriculum are cited as two possible strategies. Examples of each are given. (DC)