Grounded in critical policy theories and democratic conceptions of research, case studies of three community-based organizations, one in Canada and two in the U.S., were analyzed to determine if and how the groups engaged with research in their efforts to influence education policy. The findings demonstrate that the community-based organizations…

Author first outlines what constitutes community action" and then suggests three broad categories into which most examples of such action may be placed. (Editor/MB)

Recounts the efforts of a San Antonio, Texas citizen's group to deny the license of a television station, and suggests that the three-year dispute indicates a need for improved communication between station and community. (MH)

This report reveals the results of studies made of three groups actively seeking community participation in school affairs in a city noted for its conservative school system. The study utilized participant observation supplemented by interviews and document analysis. Each group had only 15-30 active members and no broad base in the community. All…

This paper describes the beliefs and values of a pluralistic approach to social change and of four competing approaches: social Darwinism, functionalism, militancy, and conflict theory. Stressing the alienation and dogmatism of the competing approaches, the authors relate each approach to its operation in community action projects. Social…

From Harlem to Monrovia, Liberia, their service projects contribute increasingly and significantly to the total Black community. (DM)

The Communications Act of 1934 requires broadcasters to operate their stations "in the public interest, convenience, or necessity." But because broadcasters seek to make a profit and because the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) cannot adequately monitor the thousands of radio and television stations, many stations do not live up…

This model, developed and tested in Vermont, involved a two-day assembly using a technique concentrating on small-group dynamics to encourage productive community assessment and decision-making. Included are exhaustive documentation of an example assembly to consider options for integrating human and environmental requirements in Vermont as a…

This report describes the workshop, sponsored by the Laboratory of Community Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, that gathered in Cambridge on April 21-23, 1971 to explore the question: Is there a definable discipline of community crisis intervention (CCI) with a discoverable body of techniques which can be systematized, taught, evaluated and…

This research assesses new arrangements for citizen participation in urban school affairs within the 13 cities studied. An effort was made to learn who participates and whom they represent, the forum for participation, the issues considered, the tactics used by participants, the sanctions available to participants, the success of the program, and…

A set of processes, occurring throughout the urban Southwest, is fragmenting and dislocating the barrios that exist in and around metropolitan areas, displacing the Chicano population and acting as a source of disruption and instability in the community. This pamphlet presents three interviews describing projects undertaken by Chicanos in three…

This compilation of symposium papers on community power structure research focuses on the theme that community power structure research must shift away from case study methods and move toward aggregate data analysis. Advocating comparative analysis, seven authors present their views under the following topics: (1) Charles R. Adrian, "Several Loose…

I examine the concept of the community field to identify the structures, elements, and processes that generate improved capacity for community action. I conduct analysis of interlocking leadership among local organizations and recent community action in three Midwestern communities to determine the structure and attributes of the community field.…

Describes how community members from Newburgh, New York, successfully battled against a school board proposal that called for expanding the town's high school to an enrollment of over 3,000 students. Rejects the notion that "bigger is better" and criticizes state funding formulas that create large schools by offering higher reimbursement…