In this article, Amy N. Farley, Matthew N. Gaertner, and Michele S. Moses examine the use of ballot initiatives as a particularly attractive form of direct democracy for opponents of affirmative action in higher education. Building on previous scholarship, the authors question whether anti-affirmative ballot initiatives validly reflect voters'…

Describes a project to define the images of Telluride (Colorado) held by its residents and tourists and contributing to sense of place. Discusses the design of the town's entry points and efforts to maintain their visual environments in harmony with the town's defined character during ongoing community development. (SV)

Adolescent and adult evaluative reactions to their community situation were examined in 3 small Colorado towns. Empirical focus was upon delineating specific community aspects which evoke differential perceptions between subgroups within and across community settings. Del Norte, Aspen, and Craig, Colorado were selected as the research sites…

In May 1985, a study was conducted by Arapahoe Community College (ACC) to determine the preferences of service area adults for educational opportunities. Questionnaires were mailed to 2,000 randomly selected households and distributed by local libraries, recreation centers, and other nonprofit organizations, soliciting information on interest in…

Comprised of seven tables, this compilation of community attitude responses for the Western States Small Schools Project includes data derived from Arizona (8 communities); Colorado (16 communities); Nevada (4 communities); and Utah (2 communities). Data are presented in terms of the following categories: administration; general attitude; finance;…

Describes nine of Colorado's smallest rural elementary school communities. Shows how they fall into six community types (agricultural, rural industrial, stable recreational, ranching/railroad, rural commuter, loosely structured/isolated). Notes the interdependence of rural schools and their communities. Explains how the idea of school as community…

A 3-CHOICE ATTITUDINAL SCALE WAS CONSTRUCTED TO DETERMINE COMMUNITY ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS WHICH MIGHT AFFECT THE SCHOOL PROGRAM. THE SCALE WAS CONSTRUCTED AROUND 1 GENERAL AND 4 SPECIFIC CATEGORIES--(1) ADMINISTRATION, (2) FINANCE, (3) GENERAL ATTITUDES, (4) PERSONNEL, AND (5) PROGRAM. THE SURVEY INSTRUMENT IS INCLUDED, AS WELL AS DATA ON…

This paper presents survey results from rural areas having significant levels of employment both in agriculture and in extraction industries (coal mining). Although a review of the literature suggests that rural residents may express lower levels of environmental concern than urban residents, one study proposed that rural residents in farm-related…

In summation of the three surveys which comprised the total Adult Needs Assessment, four basic generalities describe the adult learning situation in Colorado. (1) The people recognize and appreciate adult learning as a necessary and desirable means toward improving their lives. Their view toward education is serious and mature. (2) The public…

Three intermountain communities in Colorado and Utah were studied to determine the impact of rapid development on residents of rural communities, especially on their views of the world and their personal well-being, and to assess the degree to which energy boomtowns experience the social disruption suggested in the classical boomtown studies. Two…

The Denver Public Library (DPL) conducted a market analysis of its success in meeting the information needs of three segments of the population of Denver, Colorado: households, business firms, and city government and quasi-government agencies. Information was sought on current DPL usage and nonusage practices of these three groups, their levels of…

The phenomenon of minimum competency testing (MCT) is explored, beginning with its origins in public concern for educational accountability. Three major themes appearing in the states enacting prescriptive legislation are described: state standards/state test (Florida); state standards/local test (Oregon); and local standards/local test…

Three different surveys were collected to gather data about adult occupational, educational, and related needs; agency services available to adults; and the businessman's requirements and perceptions about adult needs. The thrust was to gather data to help identify educational needs and attitudes of adults, age sixteen and older, not enrolled in a…

The Grand Junction Metropolitan Statistical Area is the fifth largest metropolitan area in Colorado and the 12th fastest-growing in the Southwest. Latinos make up approximately 8 percent of total population and 15 percent of school enrollment; these numbers are increased by migrant farmworkers and their families. In May 2001, a public forum was…

Evaluates the hypothesis that boomtowns enter a period of generalized crisis and loss of traditional values/attitudes; considers impact of energy development on residents' involvement in/attachment to their community, and perceived quality of community services. Uses linear and systemic models on data from three intermountain communities…