A Midwest superintendent describes some painful on-the-job experiences. To regain community acceptance and support, educators must understand and respect community history, apply classroom-inspired lessons to relationships with parents, involve the community meaningfully, recognize the failings of New Age terminology, understand families'…

Describes Choice, an alternative elementary school program that features combination classrooms (K-1, 2-3, and 4-5), an open classroom format, and strong parental involvement. Discusses widely held misconceptions about the program and attributes these to the conservative, working class nature of the community (Somerville, Massachusetts). (GC)

Explores the issue of intellectual freedom and the role of the library in the community, and the extent to which community attitudes and values should influence library policy. A specific incident involving a public library exhibit of materials on gay rights in Durham, North Carolina, is described. (CLB)

Between 1974 and 1981, 15 teenagers in northern Maine published a small magazine containing interviews with and photographs of their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and neighbors. At a 20-year reunion, they realized that they had collected that heritage not only for archival preservation but to carry it forward for the next generation. (TD)

Attempts to assist teachers in helping students navigate the breaches that occur when what is learned at school is diametrically opposed to the values the student learns at home or in the community, particularly when those values inhibit language acquisition. (KEH)

Analyzes the philosophies of Confucius and Aristotle, stating that both subscribed to the common principles that emphasize ethical education for building individual cultivation, social harmony, and the ideal state. However, Confucius emphasized his ethical and political principles without supporting the metaphysical and epistemological theories,…

Examines the importance of identity--at the community, national, and international levels and as an educational and social development construct--in the educational philosophies of Paulo Freire and John Dewey. Stresses the dynamic quality of identity and its relation to social development. (Contains 46 references.) (NB)

The degree of incivility varies, but there seems to be general agreement that it is on the rise on college campuses across the country. A number of key elements are involved in the communication aspects of civility: a lack of respect for another human being; name calling and dehumanization; disqualification from dialogue; threats and incitation;…

This section offers eight papers presented at a symposium on the quality of comprehensive school health programs. Topics discussed include (1) building community support; (2) overcoming barriers; (3) teacher initiatives; (4) inservice education; (4) state leadership; and (5) federal support. (CB)

This policy report on compensation for child care providers is designed for use by directors, child care providers, clergy, board members, and other leaders in church-housed child care programs. Section I underscores the importance of securing fair compensation and reasonable benefits for child care providers in church-housed and non-church-housed…

Discusses nine major characteristics of rural schools which affected their willingness to accept change, as revealed in a study of the five-year Rural Experimental Schools Program. Available from: Rural Sociological Society, 325 Morgan Hall, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37916. (NEC)

In describing the primary school reorganization controversy in Gwynedd, Wales, the author emphasizes the ideological positions of the opposing groups: the rural contingent favored small village schools closely tied to the community and to Welsh culture; the urban-based, technocratically-minded group preferred cost-effective consolidated schools.…

This paper constitutes the Chicago Urban League's criticism of "Access to Excellence," the voluntary school desegregation plan proposed by the Chicago Board of Education. It is held that the plan will probably do more harm than good toward the desegregation of Chicago Public Schools. The Urban League claims that "Access to…

In this paper, the author looks back over some 43 years of involvement in language teaching and examines the progress educators have made as a profession. He also considers their present situation, given a Federal Government, which, at least until this year, has seemed antipathetic to languages education, and State and Territory Governments which,…

Describes events in Fairbanks (Alaska) resulting from an attempt by some community members to remove a book about homosexuality from the high school library. The discussion covers community reactions, media coverage, and a school board campaign that focused on this issue. Tabbert's speech the night of the vote is presented in the second article.…