Considers the role of social-science research in school desegregation efforts as a background to this collection of written reports, depositions, and testimony in the March 1996 hearings about whether the St. Louis (Missouri) school district had achieved unitary status, having done all it could to eliminate the wrongs of a racially dual school…

Examines technology trends that will make the most difference in schools in the 21st century: infrastructure needs (public and private funding); CD-ROMs versus software downloaded from the Internet and bandwidth; appliance, or single-use, versus multipurpose computers; virtual classrooms; and technology training for teachers. Provides a…

The author of recommended reforms for public college and university governing boards that had been outlined in an Association of Governing Boards policy paper, responds to criticism of the reform strategies and expands on his suggestions in four areas: the call for larger boards; merit selection of trustees; greater trustee philanthropy; and…

Discusses (1) factors supporting day care center remodeling; (2) assessing building suitability for remodeling; (3) documents to help in assessment; (4) creating a team; (5) cost and funding; and (6) overall design considerations. Emphasizes unique children's needs. Includes tips on indoor environments, individual classrooms, the playground, and…

This commentary reacts to an article that presented an agenda for educational change to encourage early childhood inclusion. It discusses the need for a bottom-up approach, as well as a top-down approach, to ensure accountability in educational reform. The need for increased accountability in the research community is also stressed. (Contains…

Addresses the need of involving the family and aspects of child development into helping children achieve academic success. Several collaborative efforts are highlighted, and the key features of strategies for collaboration are discussed. The article concludes with analysis of these collaborative efforts to determine the lessons to be learned. (GR)

Presents a statistical record of African American progress in higher education in the United States, including equity issues, the state of racial inequality, and financial needs. Comparative trends are provided concerning population, health, academic testing, and participation in sports between African Americans and whites; enrollments in…

Describes what is known about current funding levels and funding sources for special education, projected trends of increasing demand for special education services, concerns about the current efforts to reform funding, and movements toward census-based funding. Criteria for evaluating state special education funding formulas are proposed. (GR)

Describes a partnership between Boston College and its local community, outlining the partnership's development from a simple school-university engagement between a principal and a school of education faculty member to a complex set of relationships involving multiple disciplines, professions, funders, projects, participants, institutions, and…

This commentary provides an overview of federal initiatives to prepare teachers for working with students with disabilities, federal education legislation supporting equity and access, and remaining challenges for preparing teachers to work in inclusive environments. The need to ensure that students are meaningfully included is stressed. (Contains…

A description of the development of a teacher education program at Northwest Indian College (Washington) illustrates how mainstream economic pressures and political forces support White institutional hegemony and constrict Native educational self-determination. Native developers of programs promoting local language and identity must negotiate…

Describes cost-effective and environmentally sound programs at Turtle Mountain Community College (North Dakota), such as its data collection program, legal studies program, and the implementation of geothermal energy across campus. States that a printing company, bookstore and wellness center for the region are being developed, and that these…

Discusses lessons concerning the financing of higher education drawn from previous recessions and describes the differences inherent in the current recession and its potential impact on growing college enrollments, particularly the increasing demand from low-income and minority students. (EV)

States that successful collaborative efforts are based on four elements: (1) supportive college culture; (2) long-term, meaningful partnerships; (3) solid resource development strategies; and (4) well-cultivated, creative project ideas. Discusses Southwestern Community College in rural western North Carolina as an example of an effective…

Discusses why the achievement gap between poor and middle-class children persists and what can be done to close it, explaining that the latest version of Title I does not provide necessary levels of resources to compensate for inequality in educational spending. Examines the importance of preschool educational experiences, suggesting that this…