The major problem of this study is that of identifying how schools function as both a determiner and a reflector of a society or community. It addresses three fundamental questions. First, access questions are dealt with, e.g. who participates--what is the position or social standing of community participants in schools. Second, process questions…

Three basic questions form the focus for this inquiry into the educational decision making process. First, can community groups which are or have been involved in educational issues be identified within local school districts and can they be classified for further inquiry? Secondly, do these groups have influence in educational decisions which are…

This dissertation examines the developmental process and output (student performance) of a public alternative school, the Everywhere School, founded by the citizens of the South Arsenal community of Hartford, Connecticut. The objectives of the study were: (1) to explore the process whereby a community organization interacted with the Hartford…

This study of the Freedom Schools of San Francisco's Chinatown investigated cultural and linguistic reasons for the community's withdrawal of support of the majority political system decision to desegrregated its public elementary schools. The dissertation tested alternative hypotheses focusing on middle class academic values espoused by the…

Action research is disciplined inquiry to improve the quality of an organization and its performance. It is a method for improving practice in which one collects data to diagnose problems, searches for solutions, takes action, and monitors how well it works. Action research is characterized by groups of colleagues working together for systematic…