A vast number of different types of citizens' groups participate in the educational process with differing degrees of involvement. Besides school-oriented groups, there are child advocacy and neighborhood associations, other citizens groups that have broad concerns but are in part interested in schools, and the advisory committees created by legal…

The League of Schools Reaching Out is a national project to show how family/community/school partnerships can contribute significantly to school restructuring. It aims to increase the academic and social success of all children, especially those society labels as at risk. The league is attempting to expand the notion that the internal methods,…

Four keynote ideas can help partnerships form between communities and their schools. The first keynote is a new "social contract" for education in each community, based on agreement on values, school objectives, and group roles. The second keynote is the "public good." There exists a breakdown of community, a loss of the sense…

To provide the conditions for a lasting equality of educational opportunity and results, schools should: (1) enter into a partnership with each family for the educational and social development of the child; and (2) lead a cooperative effort involving other agencies and organizations to create an educative community. (RDN)

Discusses necessity of educational policy changes to provide citizens with a meaningful voice on school advisory councils. (Author/LD)

Offers seven recommendations (with comments) for action involving school partnerships with families and communities: Involve and support teachers and principals, adopt democratic principles, reach out to parents, encourage parent activism, provide parents with opportunities for choice and voice, encourage and support increased family…

Examples of effective parent and citizen involvement in schools throughout the United States are cited. Actions include a ruling in Boston that parent groups have a right to monitor classrooms in that city; a new collective bargaining law which provides open access to information about the agenda and content of collective bargaining; and the…

Notes major developments in a more comprehensive approach to school policy reform: increased parental involvement, school and human service collaboration, and supporting families in ways that encourage learning. Addresses concerns and questions regarding these developments and gives examples of recent state and federal policy legislation. (CJS)

This policy document, directed to school board members, superintendents, and principals, makes recommendations on developing school partnerships with families and communities; discusses the benefits of school partnerships for children, families, schools, teachers, and community agencies; and identifies basic principles underlying successful…

Children are a part of an ecosystem composed of several institutions. What happens in any part of the ecosystem affects many or all other parts. Strategies to improve the education of disadvantaged children are most likely to work if they are based in this ecological perspective. Approaches to developing ecologically sound solutions are proposed.…

Reflecting the renewed interest in a variety of plans to increase parent and citizen participation in education, this paper divides the questions surrounding this issue into the following four categories: co-production (partnership), decision making, citizen advocacy, and parent choice. Under each of these categories the paper considers such…

Describes the coordination of health and human services from sites within schools. Discusses funding trends and the following proposed strategies: (1) case management; (2) networking; (3) "one-stop" services; and (4) administrative consolidation. Discusses steps for advocacy, leadership, participation, and funding at the policy and local…