Parent-citizen involvement is critical to the survival of public schools. The governance of the schools must be shared among all the participants in the educational process, especially parents. (Author/LD)

Develops analytically the concept of a subcommunity, develops the concept of a subcommunity's political influence, tests the application of these concepts with data collected from four low-income subcommunities, and analyzes and explores the possible relationships of environmental and school characteristics on the political influence of…

Methods for encouraging community involvement and training community volunteers for decision making positions in community schools are described. The functions of community schools are to provide a broad diversity of learning opportunities and to involve citizens in assessing community needs, evaluating services, and advocating…

The model, structure, program, and impacts of the Newton (Massachusetts) Community Schools are described as exemplary of community education service delivery. The Newton Community Schools have two components: education of the whole community and the involvement of citizens in program and policy decision-making. Section 1 of the report provides a…

The organization and implementation of a community school program is discussed under the topics of citizen participation, functions of the community school council, organizational procedures, and coalition building. Community education consists of two components: the provision of a broad diversity of learning opportunities (after-school programs,…

The Institute for Responsive Education (IRE) is a private, nonprofit organization involved in research, policy analysis, assistance to local sites, and development of a national information clearinghouse and network for citizen groups. IRE recommends an approach to community based education that encourages citizen participation in decision-making…