Examines the discourses of educational decentralization in present educational policy development (1994-1997) in South Africa with reference to the South African Schools Act (SASA). Explores the different understandings of educational decentralization; the notions of educational decentralization embedded in the SASA; and a manifestation of…

Discusses Cerro Coso Community College in Ridgecrest (California), where 80-85 of all local jobs are with one employer, the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS). States that massive layoffs at NAWS inspired creative ways of rethinking the community college model at Cerro Coso, such as creating the nation's first computer graphics imagery…

Built around such themes as nature, cooking, and community involvement, after-school programs help students make powerful connections and ask big questions. Theme-based programming is most successful when staff members listen, observe, and acknowledge experiences that excite and motivate the students. Kids also love clubhouses and pressrooms. (MLH)

Advice on making facilities facilitate education includes: an educational vision comes first, involve all stakeholders, working smarter requires a systems approach, systems-focused planning takes time, partnerships stretch limited resources, "beautiful" is not expensive, change is tough, building a community is as important as building a…

Reports on the Improving Education Quality Project in Uganda, which sought to improve primary education by using participatory action research to involve and empower teacher and community participants. Discusses the complexities and dilemmas of moving toward participatory ways within the context of Ugandan society, and how dialogue among all…

A kindergarten rodeo organized by teachers in Hector, Arkansas, rekindled family and community interest in the school and helped develop a sense of connectedness and inclusiveness toward Hispanic families new to this previously all-White, Protestant community. Contains 14 references. (TD)

A smoking prevention program for Hispanic immigrants in Canada was based on participatory community planning, cultural sensitivity, and a comprehensive health philosophy. After 12 educational sessions, participating children aged 8-14 engaged in more community activism and showed decreased intentions to smoke. Parents, children, and staff were…

Explores relationships between evaluators and those who participate in community-based programs, focusing on the Communities That Care (CTC) program in Britain. Discusses different community perspectives toward evaluation, highlighting challenges created for evaluators. Provides examples to identify CTC evaluation strategies, showing the…

Twelve articles describe projects supported by Britain's Adult and Community Learning Fund, including employment skills and information technology for disadvantaged groups, heritage restoration skills, alcohol rehabilitation, basic skills through media-based learning, guidance for female ex-offenders, access to learning for socially excluded…

A Public Education Network poll showed that Americans want to fix public schools, not abandon them. To engage reluctant community members, school leaders must reach beyond parents; organize results-oriented volunteer activities; recognize different communities' needs; work with community-based organizations; and provide clear, accurate…

Discusses the service learning program developed by Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute (TVI) that strives to provide opportunities for TVI students to immerse themselves in the middle school world and provide mentorships and learning opportunities for fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. Also reports on the planning and…

A comprehensive home-school-community involvement plan aims to create a responsive support system for collaborative action to address educational concerns, quality-of-life issues, and specialized needs. Strategies include enlisting community resources and volunteers, developing school-community partnerships, and converting schools to…

In this paper, the authors develop a conceptual framework for exploring the notion of "translating the art of citizenship." They then consider two particular examples from their work as university teachers which illustrate how they are trying to translate the art of citizenship by developing a more expressive pedagogy of citizenship. First, a CD…

Several trends are compelling educational psychologists towards a philosophy of assessment that is asset-based and strength focused. This article shares the results from a study that explored perceptions about asset-based assessment in Educational Psychology in South Africa. Three focus groups were held and four main themes emerged from the…

This paper discusses some of the ways in which "low participation" in a Central American adult literacy project, often attributed by planners to "barriers" to or "lack of motivation" for literacy, revealed through ethnographic fieldwork a complex story of resistance and co-option. People engaged with literacy and the…