The Rindge School's innovative curriculum is based on the following principles: the importance of academic knowledge in technical training; teaching of all aspects of an industry; student participation in community development projects; and interdisciplinary courses, career pathways, and internships. (SK)

Connecting students to reading and writing means connecting them to real-world readers and writers. Writers' Day at one Pennsylvania middle school was established to bring regular working professionals (not authors or poets) from the community to school to share how writing is used in their professional and personal lives. All participants…

Presents the theoretical position that as people participate in sociocultural activities, they contribute to the development of community practices that simultaneously contribute to the individuals' own development. Illustrates this argument using observations of the developmental processes of individual Girl Scouts and of community traditions of…

A roundtable discussion with participants in the Boston (Massachusetts) Whole Village Project illustrates the complexities of urban reform efforts focusing on cooperation among school, parents, and community. Participants were three principals, a school-based parent coordinator, and three education reform project directors. (SLD)

Examines school/family partnerships in the middle grades. Focuses on comprehensive district-wide programs, school restructuring, and adult/child learning programs studied at nine sites. Summarizes lessons concerned with high-stakes consequences, parental involvement opportunities, decision-making responsibility, leadership advocacy, support for…

Of 1,700 homeless in Orange County, Florida, 40 percent are families. In 1988, a coalition of 34 agencies formed to address this challenge. A school district task force composed of community members, university student tutors, and key players from transportation services, pupil assignment, health services, Chapter 1, extended day, exceptional…

Several community projects of the Centers for Disease Control's Disabilities Prevention Program are described. The projects, which are coordinated at the state level, attempt to stimulate local involvement in disability prevention and to evaluate prevention needs and preventive interventions. (Author/JDD)

To ensure the success of its enrichment activities program, a Texas elementary school formed principal assistants committees (PACs) comprised of highly diverse community volunteer coordinators. In the PAC program, parents, nonparents, and educators work together, sharing problems and solutions while supporting each others' efforts. Sidebars list…

This discussion of the development of the Oklahoma Community Youth Effort curriculum guide includes information on problem solving, issue identification, public and community issues, decision making, action plans, proposal writing, and information addressing adolescent concerns. (JOW)

Building a multicultural environment requires involvement in the development of all individuals, creation of an appropriate curriculum, and provisions for self-growth and experiences for staff, students, and the community. (SK)

Describes projects of the School of Social Work at Central America University, Nicaragua: (1) development of a postgraduate course for professionals; (2) discovery learning and participatory action research in a fishing village; and (3) application of participatory approaches to rural development. (SK)

Although educators have received the brunt of accountability criticisms (based on increasing property taxes amid decreasing student achievement scores), the responsibility for educational success or failure depends on community involvement, political and administrative leadership, university-based standards, teacher competency, and student…

Analysis of survey data from 539 community leaders in 120 rural Pennsylvania school districts found that, when the effects of need and socioeconomic and ecological characteristics were controlled, past community action and community solidarity had significant effects on adoption of various local economic development strategies. (TD)

Renewed emphasis on parent and community involvement is critical to success of Goals 2000. U.S. Department of Education is working with broad-based coalition of parent and education groups on new Family Involvement Initiative that will facilitate cooperation of parents and families with schools and communities. Schools succeed best by making…

Certified school counselors, because of their educational training and requirements, have considerable knowledge about human development, assessment techniques, team planning and implementation strategies, career education, future work force needs, and community resources. This article shows how the counselor's role can be expanded to serve the…