In a series of essays, the author analyzes and comments on the perceived weaknesses of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) testing program. The basis of his criticism is that the NAEP has attempted to establish national norms, thereby disregarding the pluralistic nature of American society and the historical basis for community…

In focusing on local school board response to citizen desires for change in public school operations and on significant issues changing education from the perspective of school boards, three principles must be kept in mind: (1) public schools are controlled by three arms of government at three levels; (2) the federal government has limited powers;…

A program to bring about community involvement in the development of curriculum for public schools was implemented in Seattle in 1974-75 by the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation. The program follows a 12-step procedure that begins with selecting community representatives who will learn curriculum planning skills enabling them to make…

This collection of eight articles focuses primarily on the nature and extent of legal involvement in secondary school dissent and discipline. In the first article, the problem of school decentralization is viewed in terms of the conflicts which it creates. Another article presents the relevant legal decisions which aid in clarifying just what is…

In late spring of 1967, the New York City Board of Education recognized an experimental school district, comprised of two junior high schools and six elementary schools, in the Ocean Hill-Brownsville area of New York City. The prime impetus for this experiment in community involvement in decentralized school administration stemmed from a coalition…

Due to the voluminous nature of the report of the Task Force on the Educational Needs of Native Peoples, this summary of its recommendations has been prepared. The recommendations pertain to the teaching staff and teacher training; counselling staff and counsellor training programmes; curriculum; Indian control of Indian education; financial…

Western United States (characterized by low population density with small, scattered urban centers) underwent tremendous economic and population growth in the 1970's. The impact on small towns and rural areas included ecological damage and fewer permanent jobs than had been anticipated available to local persons. In spite of area growth, most…

The Native Studies curriculum has an important role to play in the development of meaningful community control for Native American education. Native Studies may legitimately take many forms and employ many methods; the essential element is that educators adopt a clear and consistent attitude toward Native Studies based on respect for Native people…

A growing trend in social science research is to reject those modes that treat individuals as objects of research and to accept the role of catalyst in helping the people to do their own research. Also, there is an increasing demand that results of social research must serve in a timely way to improve the situation of those involved. Participatory…

This book, based on a survey of parents, teachers, and principals affiliated with 54 private schools in eight cities, examines the mandate for and effects of private education for low income, predominantly minority, urban populations. The study was directed toward exploring first why low income, minority parents choose private schools for their…

On November 14, 1984, the Navajo Tribal Council approved a new set of educational policies (the "Mission Statement") intended to improve the quality of education for all Navajos, specifically some 56,810 students in 223 schools on or near the Navajo reservation. The Mission Statement asserts that the Navajo Tribe, as a sovereign nation,…

Presenting a brief outline of the Bureau of Indian Affairs' (BIA) educational program in Alaska, this pamphlet describes: BIA day school operations (52 schools); the 2 boarding school operations (Mount Edgecumbe and Wrangell Institute); higher education programs; the school nutrition program; school construction; cooperation in educational…

Australian school communities participating in the Disadvantaged Schools Program plan their own approaches to improving schooling for students, assisted and supported by consultants; the Disadvantaged Country Areas Program, funded in 1977, differs from the Disadvantaged Schools Program in that whole areas rather than individual schools have been…

Founded in 1972 by the Twin Cities Indian community, the Red School House is an Indian designed alternative to education in the public schools that involves Indian community participation and control, a culturally based curriculum, and the encouragement of student self-awareness, confidence, and pride. In 1976 the school was named by the U.S.…

This study explores broad alternative policies on urban school facilities and education rather than attempting to design the "best" policy. The study also provides a broad perspective within which to place school construction decisions by analyzing goals, stakeholders' positions, and implementation actions. The main portion of the study highlights…