This study explores how community-based digital archive projects are collaboratively designed by universities and community stakeholders, specifically examining practices that may be associated with archive sustainability. My study builds upon existing knowledge in both digital archive studies and the Digital Humanities (DH) by investigating the…

In the United States, the dearth of quality expanded learning opportunities (ELO), such as afterschool and summer programs, has long been recognized as a national concern (DeKanter et al., 2000). The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this problem, as expanded learning opportunities of all kinds became increasingly limited in spring 2020 (Carver &…

Rural school success is crucial for the Nebraska education system. Without rural schools, many students and families would be without access to high quality educational opportunities. Despite the importance of rural education, the number of rural schools in Nebraska continues to decline, and "one thing is clear from academic research on rural…

Higher education institutions are increasingly required to provide a measured response to perceptions that challenge institutions' value proposition as assets to their communities. This article focuses on best practices in the campus' efforts to create a pathway to demonstrate community impact. The ability of systematic tracking of partnership and…

This article examines archival research as a generative community literacy practice. Through the example of a community-based project centered on archival research, I examine the increased possibility the archives hold as a site for rhetorical invention based on collaboration that includes contemporary community members "and" the…

Throughout history, and continuing today, learners of color, low-income learners, female learners and learners with disabilities have been historically tracked into terminal vocational programs leading to jobs with uncertain promise of economic growth and prosperity. As a result, some communities do not view CTE [Career Technical Education] as a…

Researchers and journalists have documented the challenges confronting the nation's rural communities--dwindling populations, few employment opportunities, the opioid crisis, and a lack of public investment. However, there are many rural communities that are surmounting these obstacles and helping their young people build a brighter future. The…

The Volunteer Program Assessment at UNO (VPA-UNO), a faculty-led student group, partners with nonprofit and governmental agencies to provide free assessments and consultations to enhance volunteer engagement, organizational commitment and retention. Three recent initiatives are discussed representing an intentional effort of a metropolitan…

A significant body of research shows that achievement gaps evident in persistently low-performing schools, in many instances, manifest prior to children entering kindergarten. High-quality early learning programs have proven to demonstrate positive effects on closing academic gaps both for individual children and in the aggregate for the school.…

The Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes (CEELO) and the Center on School Turnaround (CST) collaborated to develop case studies of three selected schools receiving SIG funds that have, with the support of their districts, promoted the use of early childhood programming (PK-3) as a key strategy in their schools' turnaround models. The goal…

This report contains the texts of six speeches, and recommendations of 15 citizen discussion groups from the 1976 Nebraska Conference on Library Services. The theme of the conference, "The Citizen Challenge," and discussion topics are based on concerns expressed by the 1,403 Nebraska citizens who were interviewed in a series of Statewide…

This booklet presents ideas based on actions taken by community leaders to recruit new and emerging leaders to join in the improvement of a community. The discussion includes: (1) asking the question "who's not here?" to make sure the community organization is representative; (2) looking for skills, not names to discover leadership…

In Big Springs, Nebraska, school-based projects aim to increase students' knowledge of and connection to their community. Projects have included making and selling detailed miniature reproductions of local buildings, documenting local history, helping to renovate a historic hotel, reenacting a pioneer Christmas celebration, and researching and…

Planning procedures are specifically intended for Nebraska school districts, but are applicable to any school district planning new facilities. The procedures are outlined in three steps: (1) a comprehensive survey of educational facility needs; (2) development and adoption of long-range plans by local boards of education with maximum flexibility…

Both the Civic Achievement Award Program (CAAP) established by Congress in 1987 and CAAP in Action are now funded entirely by Burger King Corporation. The two programs, involving about 1 million students yearly, are interdisciplinary, link academic learning and research activities with civic participation, and foster closer school-community…