The Learning Partnership (TLP) initiated a Family and Community Engagement Strategy (FACES) initiative in three Ontario communities to foster active and responsive relationships among community partners and enhanced family engagement in transitions to school. A case study research design, grounded in participatory action research, was used to…

It started with a dream: to create a national best practices teaching and learning center that would not only provide the best available care and education to children ages 0 to 5 years old, but would also serve as a model for adult learners and like-minded entities and individuals in the early education arena. Committed to elevating the quality…

This article describes a model of civic engagement based on four key community organizing practices, created at Occidental College and implemented since 2001. The foundations of this model do not include confrontation, mass mobilization, or demonstrations--tactics commonly associated with the term community organizing. This model, instead,…

This article reflects on the school's role in the building of citizenship, especially in socially vulnerable contexts. We argue, and try to show, that effective participation in decision-making processes is a key tool to promote conditions that help in social transformation and the formation of active citizenship. We offer a brief description of…

Describes Overtown Neighborhood Partnerships (ONP), a program directed by the people of Overtown, a poor innercity neighborhood in downtown Miami, Florida, involving public and private sector partnerships in education, housing, health, employment, and other community projects. Examines the role of Miami-Dade Community College and phases in ONP…

In this report the Quinsigamond Community College (Massachusetts) effort to establish a Community Educational Service Center project, funded by Title I of the Higher Education Act of 1965, is discussed. The primary purpose was to offer special educational services to minority and low-income groups in the local area. The demonstration project was…

Describes an adult education course designed to stimulate public awareness in planning matters, and compares the course with another differently planned program with the same purpose. Notes that given the concentration of resources and cooperation between adult education and community development agencies, interest in planning issues can be…

This bulletin highlights the comprehensive community action program developed in Fayette County, Kentucky, to lower vandalism. The program was begun several years ago and involves participation by local businesses, clubs, schools, and the police department. School assemblies, a student workbook, slides, films, contests, and a public media campaign…

Described are three components of community-school programs in Richmond, Virginia, public schools. The document presents the general guidelines for development and implementation of these programs which operate with Office of Economic Opportunity funding. Discussed are the remedial reading, early childhood education, and school-community…

The purpose of this project was to organize an effective, comprehensive, public relations program in a medium size school district and, hopefully, increase the image of the district. The data contained in this report will demonstrate a clear need for the organization of a public relations program, the extent to which an effective, comprehensive…

Efforts to link colleges with many community-based, grass-roots organizations are described. Three partnership models are discussed: the comprehensive, the limited, and new entities (colleges created directly by or on behalf of community-based organizations). Specific examples are provided. (MLW)

The genesis of the Ocean Beach, California, Community School is described in this volume by three of the participants in its formation. A grassroots effort, the school was started amidst a certain degree of controversy and resistance from already established community organizations. The authors describe the processes they went through to gather…

The superintendent of central Iowa's CAL Community School District describes how his small district maintains quality community-based education despite financial problems and federal/state neglect of rural schools. He notes that Iowa citizens have established a rural education lobbying group. Part of a theme issue on rural education. (SJL)

This book describes the success of mentor programs and of individuals such as Hillary Clinton, Barbara Bush, Bill Cosby, and Arnold Schwarzenegger among many others, who have worked as mentors in public schools. The first section describes the work of Eugene Lang and his "I Have a Dream" program. The second section describes the work of…

This book provides descriptions of youth involvement projects that have made significant contributions to young people, their schools, and their communities. Each description is intended to provide information for starting and operating similar youth projects. They explain how a particular project began, mention the important problems encountered,…