The purpose of this article is to provide a blueprint to conduct equity case studies in rural community colleges. Informed by our field work experiences applying case study design and equity-minded frameworks, this blueprint involves four distinct steps: (1) identifying rural community colleges in North Carolina; (2) operationalizing equity in…

To challenge deficit thinking concerning immigrants and refugees in urban schools, we engaged members of local immigrant and refugee communities from China, Mexico, Liberia, and Sudan in focus group discussions about their prior educational experiences, their hopes and aspirations for education, and the supports and challenges they encountered in…

Now that the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has designated a first round of institutions that meet its criteria for engagement with their communities, in this article, the authors offer their reflections on the process for other colleges and universities preparing similar applications. They learned a great deal about their own…

Recounts the case of a high school drama teacher in North Carolina who was disciplined after she chose a play for her students to perform, Lee Blessing's "Independence," which contained characters and language a parent found objectionable. Discusses the legal case that ensued and implications for academic freedom and the First Amendment.…

Explores relationship between per capita expenditures (inputs) for selected public services (law enforcement, education, medical, libraries, parks) and two output measures (objective performance measure and subjective measures of 8,882 citizens' perceptions in 100 different size counties in North Carolina.) Indicates per capita expenditures are…

Surveyed 1,200 residents of rural North Carolina to examine the effects of gender on feelings of community attachment. Studied the relationship between emotional responses to the community and community attachment. The results, though inconclusive, indicate that community attachment has more importance in explaining women's response to questions…

In Manteo, North Carolina, community involvement in planning and design phases of community revitalization led to recognition of the town's "sacred structure"--highly valued places essential to social processes, lifestyle, and sense of place. Identification and preservation of these places allowed community development without negative…

Describes how the author and a colleague engaged their students in a variety of research and writing activities to prepare the students for the merger of two school systems and to help them participate intelligently in a bond referendum campaign to fund the building of a new high school. (PRA)

Describes the problems of establishing a rural, public, educational radio station in Hyde County (North Carolina) and its potential benefits. Young people and adult volunteers will operate the station, providing a real service to the community in terms of communication, youth activity, educational programs, and decreasing isolation. (LC)

Investigates paranoia in older adults. In cross-sectional analyses, symptoms were strongly associated with black race, lower income and education, less exercise, and more depressive symptoms. In longitudinal analysis, three years following initial interview, symptoms were predicted by baseline paranoid symptoms, education and depressive symptoms…

Among 86 migrant farmworkers surveyed in northwest North Carolina (Avery, Aske, Alleghany, and Watauga counties), all were Hispanic, few spoke English, most had little education and job skills, and the majority were unfamiliar with community resources. A related survey revealed that community and business representatives understated migrant needs…

Describes how a North Carolina school system's integrated English/Social Studies pilot program helped ninth grade students develop more awareness of their local, state, and national community. Notes that the program features research, writing, and literary analysis, as well as a planned program for the "common good." (PRA)

Focuses on the academic decision making of several female African Americans in a rural southern (primarily African-American) town by considering their personal school experiences and their interpretations of the value of education in their community contexts. Preliminary findings show many contradictions between educational beliefs and actual…

Examines the language of race in a rural, primarily African-American town in North Carolina, focusing on the Civil War, social interactions, school before desegregation, the closing of the town's elementary school, and school dropouts. The roles of repression and denial in socializing talk about racially charged issues are illustrated. (SLD)

Summarizes the history of education in a rural, primarily African-American town in North Carolina as one of denial used as a coping mechanism for disappointment. Denial of real problems by blacks and whites has contributed to the town's weakened sense of community and its lack of a local school. (SLD)