Asserts social workers will be called on to respond to the continued dismantling of the federal social programs that sustain and support families and communities. Presents ideas to strengthen and expand community practice and community building, connects community practice and social development, describes the relationship between community…

Since the late 1980s, a network of community museums has spread throughout Oaxaca (Mexico), serving as an autonomous force for broad-based cultural development, supporting the maintenance and revitalization of local Indigenous cultures, countering Western cultural hegemony, and involving Indigenous communities in museum development and related…

Contains four articles covering trends and issues on distance learning including: the experience of two learners learning via the Internet; a systematic approach to determining the scalability of a distance education program; identifying factors that affect learning community development and performance in asynchronous distance education; and…

Recounts the history of some of the earliest tribal colleges and poses questions regarding the current state of American Indian higher education institutions. Argues that, though the colleges are expanding, the larger goals of nurturing sustainable communities remain unfulfilled. Compares tribal colleges to Maori schools in New Zealand. (NB)

Examines what participation in a first-year residential learning community means to students 2-3 years after their involvement in the program. Results showed that participants valued greatly their involvement and can articulate how it helped them succeed. Most recall the sense of community that existed, the personal growth they experienced, their…

Suggests strategies for reviving small rural communities. Discusses community development meetings, developing effective leadership, and involving youth and women. Discusses importance of development programs, effective media, good educational systems, and other community institutions. Emphasizes important role of local youth programs, schools,…

Describes Tennessee Technology Foundation, a government-sponsored linking agent designed to assist new high-technology businesses. Describes foundation projects offering new high-tech businesses entrepreneurial assistance, administrative support, funding assistance, job networking, and institutional coordination services. Tells foundation…

Describes current changes in rural transportation services. Describes general thrust of innovative efforts to provide rural passenger transportation despite declining resources. Describes public-private transportation cooperation, human-service agency coordination, linking state and local bus services, mixed passenger-package functions, community…

This essay considers the worsening plight of the American family from the perspective of major social-structural dynamics, such as decline of community, corporate-induced consumerism, invasion of professionals into family life, etc. Proposed is an invigorated vision of community life and the supportive political-economic conditions that can…

Discusses the role of rural public libraries in the information age. Characteristics of rural communities that library planners should consider are conservatism, the lack of professionally trained librarians, library trustee involvement, the need for marketing, and gender balance. Suggestions for recreating rural libraries and providing…

A survey received responses from 183 public community/technical colleges, 25 private colleges, and 192 other accredited secondary/postsecondary vocational programs. Administrators rated community economic development strategies under present and ideal conditions. Public sector administrators typically had higher present and ideal component scores,…

The survival of many rural communities is threatened by complex interacting economic and social conditions. Schools can play a significant role in revitalizing rural communities. Three approaches to community development involve community as curriculum; school as community center; and school-based economic development. Successful programs…

Presents 12 ideals that libraries strive for, including informing citizens; breaking down boundaries, including literacy programs; promoting equity in resource availability; valuing the individual; nourishing creativity; helping children; providing business information; building communities; supporting families; fighting censorship challenges;…

Among indigenous peoples, Western models of development through acculturation and resource exploitation have been replaced by community-based development emphasizing cultural continuity, holistic indigenous knowledge, community control, and respect for the environment. Includes descriptions of indigenous-Western research partnerships, development…

Amidst the poverty of the Algarve region, an area being depopulated, Project Radial focuses on child development, parent education, the establishment of children's centers and craftwork centers, and the building and empowerment of communities. (SK)