Describes how, as part of the Middle School Achievement Project, Minneapolis parents and community members shadowed students and teachers, and experienced middle level classrooms while collecting data about curriculum and classroom environments that led to middle level school improvement. Details study procedures including study instruments,…

Describes how a community collaborative focused on math and science and involving the University of Texas at El Paso--the El Paso Collaborative for Academic Excellence--has worked to ensure academic opportunity and success for a diverse community. Emphasis is placed on a standards-based curriculum, better teacher preparation, and the increased…

Discusses the importance of collaborations between organizations specializing in child care, such as the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and public schools for enhancing the quality of after-school programs. Describes the collaborative efforts of elementary schools in Georgia with a Boys and Girls Club and state and county…

This article examines selected basic assumptions that relate to minority student recruitment into teacher education programs. Four categories of minority recruitment endeavors are discussed and examples of each are provided. (IAH)

Describes the comprehensive approach to general education at Illinois' Black Hawk College, highlighting the program's rationale and history. Indicates that the college used a DACUM (Design A Curriculum) process to clearly identify the desired outcomes of general education for all degree graduates. Includes topics for further research. (MAB)

Suggests that community colleges have always offered programs designed to encourage the enrollment of high ability students, including formal honors programs, honors courses or societies, tuition incentives, and opportunities for independent study. Cites ERIC documents and journal articles reflecting the current literature on honors programs…

Provides an overview of a six-year collaborative literacy project. Discusses several key elements, processes, and beliefs that played a crucial role in the transformation of literacy practices in a small K-8 school district. Discusses time for growth, literate and thoughtful inservice sessions, imaginative expansion of roles, ongoing support and…

Describes a study conducted of literacy programs at five companies that used community colleges in their basic skills program. Indicates that no companies asked colleges to conduct needs assessments and that companies believed that only workplace-specific curricula were effective components of the programs. (25 citations) (MAB)

Discusses faculty evaluation programs at 11 community colleges, focusing on procedures used, the frequency of evaluation, and areas evaluated. Indicates that although the 11 colleges used all of the main types of faculty evaluation procedures, substantive differences existed among the schools regarding frequency of use and instrument content. (MAB)

Although often ignored by policymakers, African-American independent neighborhood schools provide models of successful learning environments grounded in cultural history and the pursuit of excellence. These schools are usually urban and mostly minority and have a long tradition of self-help providing stability to the African-American community.…

The department of computer services at Miami-Dade Community College (Florida) limits its monthly newsletter to one page and follows specific guidelines about content and format. The publication is used for communication, public relations, and recognition. This streamlined approach allows for efficient and consistent communication. (MSE)

Describes professional development activities for adjunct faculty instituted at College of the Canyons in California to improve teaching and strengthen ties between college and faculty at reasonable cost and with minimal bureaucracy. The Associate Program includes Instructional Skills and Advanced Teaching Workshops and a teaching analysis. (DMM)

Describes Pima Community College's Community Communication Corps, an outgrowth of the college's writing/speaking across the curriculum program involving the business community in promoting communication skills. Discusses the roles of Business Partners in Education and teaching teams in improving student attitudes toward communication skills.…

Describes a study of 29 doctoral, 6 specialist, and 23 master's programs emphasizing community college education at 33 institutions in 16 states and Canada. Provides a longitudinal comparison of the programs and data regarding general information, admission requirements, faculty, and typical size. Suggests that the programs are not well…

Discusses the Free to Grow initiative, a five-year program aimed at increasing the capacity of Head Start to help prevent substance abuse. The collaborative program is designed to assist a number of local Head Start programs to develop and implement model substance abuse prevention projects that will strengthen both the families and neighborhoods…