This introductory article in a special issue on mentoring as a means to prevent school failure looks at the beginnings of mentoring in the United States, recent growth of mentoring programs, similarities and differences in mentoring programs, sources of funding for mentoring programs, what works and what does not, and the future of mentoring…

Reports on the results of a study of a community computing system, Prairienet. Examines characteristics of users and the extent to which Prairienet is serving its purpose as a community resource for networked communication and information access, through the analysis of usage patterns and logs. (Author/AEF)

Describes the development and baseline evaluation data from the Ozark Heart Health Project, a community-based cardiovascular disease risk reduction program in rural Missouri that targeted smoking, physical inactivity, and poor diet. Several Ozark counties participated in either intervention or control groups, and researchers conducted surveillance…

Uses a critical postmodern analysis to examine the range of thinking and contemporary practice in the field of service learning. Introduces a new schema, discourse-praxis community, as a way to conceptualize the field and to reexamine issues such as diversity, historicity, conflict, and power. (SM)

An in-depth analysis of data on two restructured schools assessed the impact of school organization on programs that provide social, health, and career development services for at-risk students. The analysis illustrates that unless the services become an integrated part of a community of concerned adults, their potential is lessened. (SLD)

Currently, youth services are uncoordinated, youth workers are underpaid, and youth programs survive on hand-to-mouth funding. Although schools touch every child's life, they cannot singlehandedly repair this damaged youth ecosystem. Community development, a necessary partner in education reform efforts, will enmesh schools with other agencies in…

The Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development (COAD), a coalition of community action agencies, takes a regional approach to serving rural communities. Its programs focus on community and leadership development, early education and child care, and services and housing for seniors. Through COAD's Foster Grandparent Program, seniors mentor young…

Used a variety of measures to assess the effectiveness of the PALS program (Parents Altogether Lending Support) in England. Found that participants enjoyed the course and found it beneficial, particularly for altering their behavior to promote positive behavior among their children. The key lesson identified in regard to developing parenting…

Describes the Community Reading Month (CRM) initiative in Iowa City, Iowa; its goals are to promote the value of reading and to build a sense of community. Topics include the development of CRM, increased reading scores of Iowa City's elementary school students, activities for people of all ages, and planning and evaluation. (AEF)

Describes a conflict resolution program now being used in many schools. Offers practical advice for addressing conflicts and lists ways that schools and communities can work together to resolve conflicts in creative ways. Provides vignettes that show how the program works. (RJM)

This article presents perspectives on the expansion of provider organizations with case studies of two Oregon organizations: Independent Environments, which supports approximately 20 people with an annual budget of $1 million and Partnerships in Community Living, which supports approximately 115 people with a budget of $10 million. (Contains…

Several school- and community-based arts programs in inner city areas across the country offer choices to children and the elderly. Involvement in the arts develops self-esteem, confidence, and discipline in children and helps reconnect the elderly with society. (SH)

The assessment of interests, skills, and needs of handicapped students related to work, home, community, and leisure should begin at a very young age and be closely connected to a functional curriculum. A framework for developing a community-wide interagency career assessment process is described. (Author/DB)

Describes the large Asian Indian community of Northern California and observes how this relatively recent immigration has generated a rich and diverse array of organizations, business enterprises, and community events. Subcultural and transnational practices are discussed, as is the reformulation of India in the San Francisco Bay Area. (GR)

A new technology is described that permits virtually instantaneous tracking and evaluation of community-based projects. Faxes of coded forms are automatically stored in a database for up-to-date summaries and feedback for efficient outreach and program improvement. Evaluation of a human immunovirus risk reduction program is described. (SLD)