This document explains the advantages of afterschool programs for students and describes the components that make them successful. The major benefits from such programs are increased safety for children, a reduction in risk taking among children participating, and improved learning. Among the elements that characterize high quality afterschool…

This is a report on a school-wide ethnographic study of intervention strategies for at-risk students in kindergarten through second grade. A group of 5 teachers from an elementary school of approximately 250 students in a Midwest community of about 18,000 people (2 first-grade teachers, 2 second-grade teachers, and 1 music teacher) comprised the…

Many communities across the country have set for themselves the goal of enhancing school readiness. But what does school readiness mean, and how do communities know whether they have achieved it? This research brief is intended to help communities invest wisely in school readiness initiatives. It begins by summarizing recommendations from the…

As part of ongoing research into rural school improvement, the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL) at the request of its Rural Advisory Council set out to find, examine, and profile exemplary, successful school improvement programs in rural schools and districts in the upper Midwest. This paper is a summary of the first year…

The study reviews what is known from research about school-family-community involvement programs. Collectively, recent studies and earlier research indicate a strong relationship between family involvement and improved academic performance. Family involvement is also associated with other key outcomes such as attendance and behavior, which are…

Multicultural education shows promise for reducing tensions between diverse ethnic, racial, religious, and national-origin groups. Schools, in conjunction with individuals, families, communities and the media, should develop and implement multicultural programs which will foster more positive attitudes. (MH)

This article presents the major issues, trends, interpretations, and difficulties facing Primary Health Care (PHC) personnel in taking the drastic steps required to reform the health care system. The author argues that PHC aims to enable people to take responsibility for their own health and further the redistribution of resources. (SSH)

The family life education model developed in Santa Cruz County (California) schools has confirmed the importance of four factors in program development: (1) community involvement and support; (2) administrative involvement and support; (3) effective and acceptable curriculum; and (4) effective teacher training. (JN)

Hard times for higher education will make community understanding and support more important than ever. Institutions must look for creative ways to involve themselves in community relations and community services. Organizing, setting measurable objectives, the urban challenge, serving as information center, promoting campus services, and…

Bilingual Yavapai-Apache youth have some Yavapai linguistic competence and limited performance skills, yet Yavapai is important to them. A bicultural-bilingual curriculum emphasizing culture and history minicourses taught by community members can help revitalize the fading Yavapai culture and provide cross-cultural education for non-Indians as…

To continue high quality secondary agriculture education programs needs must be met with strong (1) recruiting, (2) summer teachers' programs, (3) teachers' professional background, (4) classroom approach, and (5) community involvement. (LRA)

The author responds to alarm over declining national test scores by outlining possible improvements for educational practice and policy. (LH)

Discusses and defines media literacy. Topics include the pervasive influence of television; viewing habits; effects of media illiteracy; media education, including teaching critical viewing skills across the curriculum; media education and citizenship education; and the need for teacher education and community and parental involvement. (LRW)

Discusses the Benton Foundation's report on the public's opinions of library leaders' visions for the future. Highlights include public libraries in the digital age; the competitive information environment; education about and access to information; roles of the public library; changing demographics; importance to minorities; collaboration with…

Outlines the history and development of the Watershed Report Card, an integrated program that educates Ontario participants about the holistic nature of a watershed and fosters community stewardship of the local ecosystem. The program consists of the inventory level, assessment and monitoring level, and remediation level. Emphasizes partnerships…