Objectives: Whole-school interventions and programmes aim to change school environments to promote health. Previous reviews suggest these are often inappropriately informed by individualistic psychological theories. We undertook a systematic review of whole-school interventions to prevent substance use and violence. This paper reports on a…

The purpose of this article is to share tensions experienced by the Center for Community-Based Learning and Engagement (CU Engage) at the University of Colorado Boulder during its attempts to facilitate social justice-oriented community change. These tensions speak to larger questions about the goals of community-campus engagement (CCE) programs,…

School climate reform, an evidence-­-based strategy, supports K--12 students, school personnel, parents/guardians and community members learning and working together to promote pro-social education. Done well, these efforts will result in even safer, more supportive, engaging, helpfully challenging and harmonious schools. The U.S. Department of…

States have been given flexibility under No Child Left Behind to create need-driven comprehensive school improvement plans with an approved accountability system, however those unable to show increased student learning will be deemed as failing. Schools labeled as failing require a comprehensive framework for improvement. Research has identified a…

The search for new designs for improving parent involvement is a common issue in many schools today. The notion of local control of education in First Nations communities in Canada is directly linked to the need for parental involvement in schooling. This study utilizes a participatory research approach to examine views on community involvement…

This report advocates increased participation of parents and students in the decisionmaking process. The author argues that of all the school constituents -- parents, students, teachers, administrators, and various citizen organizations and special interest groups -- parents and students have the least influence. Thus, the political balance of…

This case study identifies the leadership styles of an experienced principal in his first year at a new position within a rural school cooperative. "Fred" is a 33-year-old male who was hired by the school system to bring in current instructional methods and management techniques, encourage student involvement, and strengthen the academic program.…

Examines the discourses of educational decentralization in present educational policy development (1994-1997) in South Africa with reference to the South African Schools Act (SASA). Explores the different understandings of educational decentralization; the notions of educational decentralization embedded in the SASA; and a manifestation of…

Sheds light on a growing conflict that has surfaced between urban communities and teachers' unions: the conflict over the sharing of power in school decision making. Discusses the actions of the Philadelphia Parents Union. (Author/IRT)

A study examining the educational experiences of Aboriginal students surveyed educators, service providers, and Indigenous residents in a rural South Australian Aboriginal community. Findings indicated a lack of cross-cultural communication. Recommendations revolve around equalizing power differentials between schools and community, and include…

Examined the first year of cooperative planning between an elementary school and the local community for a full-service elementary school collaboration. Data from observations, surveys, and interviews provide feedback on perceptions of student achievement, barriers, parent participation, leadership and power, the planning process, and goals and…

The vast majority of American Indian students are educated in public school districts controlled by locally elected school boards. If Indian parents are to influence the education of their children they must become knowledgeable in political methods of influencing local school boards. The process of Indian influence in educational decisions was…

THIS ADDRESS STRESSES THE URGENCY OF INVOLVING PARENTS, COMMUNITIES, TEACHERS, AND STUDENTS IN THE POWER STRUCTURE OF THE SCHOOLS. THESE GROUPS MUST NOW BE ACTIVELY INCLUDED IN DECISION MAKING AND IN THE CONTROL OF THEIR ENVIRONMENTS. AMONG THE ISSUES DISCUSSED IN RELATION TO THE POWER STRUGGLE ARE THE COMPATABILITY OF THE GOALS OF RACIAL…