Funders are primarily concerned with the impact of the work they support. Yet traditional research activities may take years to be complete, and it may take even longer to determine whether the research had any impact on policy or practice. In a place-based research-practice partnership, collaborative construction of research questions ensures…

This paper explores the unheeded religious roots of the modern conviction to standardised, scientific education policy and its inherent sciento-social epistemology. In doing so, it traces the discursive roots of this hierarchical but non-governmental idea of social governance from its 16th century Scottish Presbyterian predecessors to its…

Three decades after the first charter school law passed in the United States, myths about these public schools not only persist but continue to fuel strong claims and divisive debates. Commentators point to education management organizations (EMOs), for-profit organizations which manage or operate a network of charter schools, as examples of…

Once referred to as "the most maligned musical instrument on earth," the harmonica holds an important historical place in music education as an instrument around which bands were formed, solo and ensemble competitions were held, and in some cases, careers were born. Much of this activity centered itself on city recreation programs as…

States and districts are embarking on efforts to improve school leadership as a lever to promote school improvement. Such efforts have a solid base of research attesting to their effectiveness, and some view them as particularly cost-effective because principals "can be powerful multipliers of effective teaching and leadership practices in…

This paper examines an "experimental" program in African American adult education that took place at the Harlem branch of the New York Public Library in the early 1930s. The program, called the Harlem Experiment, brought together a group of white funders (the Carnegie Corporation and the American Association for Adult Education)--who…

Collaboration is a recurring theme among philanthropic funders and their grantees. Most funders have engaged in collaboration at some level. A few collaborations achieve outstanding success and are lionized in case studies. Others break up without conclusion or fall short of their original mission and are tactfully forgotten. One standard…

The building that houses Brooklyn Friends School's (New York) preschool, lower, and middle divisions stands on a quiet one-way street in an otherwise bustling downtown Brooklyn business district. After most students head home for the day, others come to the school to participate in the Horizons Program. The Horizons Program at Brooklyn Friends…

Describes how the Robin Hood foundation has teamed with architects to ensure that New York City's 650 schools have comprehensive and modern libraries. Offers brief descriptions of the first six library designs resulting from this public-private partnership. (EV)

The State University of New York at Albany initiated a pioneering university/philanthropist/school district partnership building on the success of millionaire Eugene Lang's 1981 offer to pay college tuition for 61 East Harlem sixth graders. SUNY's School of Education offers administrative expertise and plans enrichment activities for 96 inner-city…

This presentation has a four-fold purpose: (1) to highlight the importance of the arts in New York City; (2) to mention the major problem areas facing cultural institutions today; (3) to examine the contribution to New York City cultural institutions made by Federal, State, and local agencies; and (4) to suggest a strategy that has been developed…

School and community partnerships form the very core of the Mott Foundation, as seen in its founding principles and its varied Civil Society, Flint, and Poverty programs. Although community education has evolved over the years to address increasingly serious problems, the work of today's community organizers is deeply rooted in past theories:…

Describes the Fund for New York City Public Education, established by foundation and business leaders, which increases and channels community concern about education toward lasting improvements in the New York City school system. Its priorities include comprehensive school restructuring, professional development and incentives, school community…

Describes the work of the Toussaint Institute, a nonprofit organization that places African-American male students in about 53 African-American independent schools in New York City. The institute investigates the schools, places and monitors students, and helps schools become local and national resources. Advantages of these schools are described.…