A survey of 100 principals known for their successful programs for obtaining community support brought many effective techniques to light. These methods fall into four categories: written and oral communications, community involvement in decision making, use of school volunteers, and encouragement of parent-faculty organizations. (PGD)

If current trends continue, a disproportionate number of America's children will grow up poor, undereducated, and untrained. Skills for Growing, a multifaceted K-5 program designed to develop character, citizenship, and positive social skills, offers a collaborative approach to socialization of children in isolation. (MLH)

The controversy over the decentralization of schools focuses essentially on the issue of community control. This article explores the current status of decentralization and evaluates its effectiveness as a vehicle for community influence and educational reform. (Author/WD)

Describes an elementary school creative writing program involving lay-readers, which leads to increased creativity, more enthusiasm for writing, and better writing skills. (DCS)

In an interview with "Principal," U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley and NAESP Executive Director Vincent Ferrandino agreed that schools should become community centers. Principals' major challenges include welcoming and involving the community, envisioning improvements, building consensus, valuing teamwork, and pursuing…

A model professional development school (PDS) serves Celebration, Florida, a planned community built by the Disney Corporation. The K-12 Celebration School resulted from cooperation among the Osceola County School District, Stetson University, and Disney. In this PDS, featuring multiage groupings and individualized instruction, students, staff,…

The Secretary of Education urges principals to read "America Goes Back to School: Get Involved," produced by the Partnership for Family Involvement in Education. This publication encourages parents, grandparents, community and religious leaders, employers, college students, and other caring citizens to work together to improve schools…

Improvement of a school's discipline program can begin with the opinion inventories published by the National Study of School Evaluation. Once teachers, students, and parents have assessed strengths and weaknesses, an appropriate plan can be chosen. This article outlines five approaches. (WD)

Provides testimony from five elementary school principals concerning the Skills for Growing Program piloted in U.S. and Canadian schools during 1987-1988. Principals stress the program's beneficial effects on student self-esteem, community involvement, curriculum enrichment, and staff morale. (MLH)

Confronted with deteriorating facilities, outmoded technology, and low staff morale, a Mississippi principal improved communication with staff and parents. Staff sent home bimonthly student progress reports and monthly newsletters listing low-cost, unbudgeted items needed by teachers and encouraging teacher/parent dialog. They also asked for help…

The Skills for Growing pilot program was launched in 10 U.S. and Canadian schools during 1987-1988. This research-based project is founded on six philosophical assumptions: administrative leadership, positive expectations, visible rewards, a trusting climate, community involvement, and student participation. The program curriculum is described.…

Adolescents share the basic needs for food, shelter, physical safety, access to health care, and transportation to essential services. Although mindful of survival issues, educators and community agencies must cooperate to design and implement programs to meet early adolescents' developmental needs for positive social interaction, structure and…

Successful 21st-century teachers will be proficient at mentoring and managing relationships and will possess excellent skills in managing classrooms and designing and delivering lessons. A successful school will be administered by a principal who has mastered similar skills and who dares to take charge and do what is right. Supporting teachers and…

A preliminary study of suburban Chicago elementary schools in affluent, middle-, and low-income neighborhoods showed that parents were more concerned about their children's welfare than about curriculum or school operations. Principals should be available, emphasize basic information, develop effective security measures, clarify discipline…

Describes a Pennsylvania elementary school's efforts to enhance school-community partnerships and thereby garner support for innovative programs such as whole language, cooperative learning, process writing, and authentic assessment. The keys to success were improved home-school communication and parent involvement. Parents were encouraged to…