Despite a number of savvy strategies, it was a tough year at the polls for libraries. Both building and operating referenda had the lowest passage rates this decade, with only 52% of capital referenda and 57% of operating referenda finding success. In fact, in the 18 years since Library Journal has been tracking these votes, 2005 had the lowest…

Closing the achievement gap depends on highly effective public schools, strong community support, and family involvement. Raising the overall rates of achievement in Minnesota is a vital part of this goal. Research has shown that pre-college outreach programs improve college access for underrepresented groups, including low-income,…

Involving the community in the earliest planning of design projects often results in useful suggestions, speeds the design phase, and increases community acceptance of the project. (Author/MLF)

Forty-three community residences were studied to examine correlates of community opposition. Residences that conducted public education were significantly more likely to encounter opposition than residences that did not. The point at which the community became aware of the facility's existence was also related to extent of opposition encountered.…

A look at how one of the nation's smallest community-owned public television stations has managed to serve community needs and obtain financial support. (AK)

Presents a philosophical and theoretical critique of community development's transformation into economic development. Introduces a successful rural revitalization process termed "community encouragement" and integrates a community's traditional values with progressive revitalization plans. (JOW)

The Community Health Aide Program (CHAP) is a unique program employing local, indigenous peoples as primary care nonphysician providers in extremely remote frontier, tribal Alaskan communities. With attrition rates up to 20%, recommendations for improving retention are necessary to maintain access to health services for Alaska Natives in these…

Child-only cases, minors who receive welfare benefits as individuals, lose their eligibility at age 18 but face the same challenges to self-sufficiency as other "emerging adults." This study examines how 59 youth in 4 New York State communities thought about and prepared for the termination of their benefits. In 8 focus groups and 12…

In May 2007, leaders from national organizations and local communities gathered to renew their commitment to deepen their organizations' dedication to community schools. They developed a strategic plan, described herein, that will achieve the goals of sustaining and strengthening existing school initiatives; grow new community schools initiatives;…

Background: Although rural adolescents use of alcohol is at some of the highest rates nationally, rural adolescent alcohol use has not been studied extensively. This study examines how community attitudes and behaviors are related to adolescent drinking in rural environments. Methods: Data were gathered in 22 rural communities in the Upper Midwest…

This bibliography lists 221 materials considered to be helpful in identifying obstacles to sex education, understanding the nature of the opposition to sex education, appreciating approaches useful for building community support, and learning about the legal aspects of sex education. Resources contained in this bibliography are through July 1982…

This monograph reviews the elements of successful associates programs that institutional and volunteer leaders may consider in mobilizing individual constituents who are priority gift prospects. Associates programs have recently been established at a number of institutions of higher education; they suggest a relationship of prestige and…

Introduces ten ideas for free or low-cost resources which can help stretch day care or early-education budgets. (BR)

A biographical sketch of Dr. Lester E. Rounds, superintendent of Ramapo Central School District, Suffren, New York. The article describes the unorthodox methods and the humanized approach Dr. Rounds uses in his job. (DN)