Describes how parents in two communities constructed their roles in a social context shaped by economic resources, local notions of home-school relations, and information networks. Examines parenting as a social activity internalized by individuals through their daily interactions. Shows how family-role perceptions and school practices are…

Looks at the historical roots of the student affairs profession for insight about the value of community. Examines different conceptualizations, institutional evidence, and artifacts of community. Describes ways in which community can be fostered within the college environment through the use of diversity, faculty, and professional work. (RJM)

The role of the local community in setting moral standards for the public schools and professional standards for Canadian teachers is studied by reviewing some court cases. It is suggested that public school teachers may best protect their human rights by asserting professional status through collective bargaining and peer review. (SLD)

Explores the community as an important context of both legitimate and illegitimate female behavior. Based on the principle of the centrality of the structures of gender relations for behavior of males and females, the original community model is expanded to include population characteristics relevant to that structure. (SLD)

The "rush to adulthood" is defined by precocious events that place excessive demands on youth who are not adequately prepared for the responsibilities of adulthood. This study investigates the influence of community disadvantage, family, and race on adolescent precocious life events and depressive symptoms in the transition to adulthood. The…

Interviews with parents, students, and staff members at a school of 850 seventh and eighth graders yielded a set of 8 fairly universal guidelines for creating and maintaining a safe learning environment. The high expectations the school had for its students was one response that was unanimous. (MLF)

The adequacy of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for taking into account dissimilarities in students' family, school, and community contexts when reporting test score differences among minority population groups was studied. Analyses show that the NAEP lacks a number of important social context measures and that the quality…

Variation in rates of officially reported child maltreatment in urban neighborhoods is related to structural determinants of community social organization: economic and family resources, residential instability, household and age structure and geographic proximity of neighborhoods to concentrated poverty. Furthermore, child maltreatment rates are…

Data are presented from structured interviews conducted with 340 youths from the Monroe-Pratt neighborhood of Baltimore (Maryland). Interviews reveal lifestyle and community environmental factors that increase the risks of youth experiencing failure in educational and occupational attainment. Suggestions are made for improving the educational…

Describes a case study of 12 elementary schools (emphasizing 2 schools) affected by the Chicago School Reform Act, focusing on local contexts and features of school communities that advance or impede change. Results demonstrate the importance of neighborhood contexts and school leadership and the complexities of applying technical expertise. (SLD)

Educational resilience is defined as the heightened likelihood of success in school and in other life accomplishments, despite environmental adversities. This paper summarizes the concept of resilience as it has been advanced in developmental psychopathology and discusses educationally relevant research that is consonant with the definition of…

Discusses attributes of families, students, schools, peers, and communities that foster resilience among inner-city youth, examining these factors at one inner-city elementary school. The exploration is based on a longitudinal study of the achievement and climate and survey and interview data collected over five years. (SLD)

This study explores the problem of school violence, identifies the causes and factors associated with this violence, and discusses strategies to reduce violence in the schools. Federal, New York State, and other state initiatives are presented, focusing on reducing violence in schools. Factors associated with school violence and vandalism are…

Whether state average test scores on the 1992 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Trial State Assessment in mathematics should be used to compare and rank states according to the quality or proficiency of their educational programs is examined. Data from eighth graders from the Trial State Assessment are analyzed. Analysis shows…

This study examines the effects of parental SES, school quality, and community factors on children's enrollment and achievement in rural areas in Viet Nam, using logistic regression and ordered logistic regression. Multivariate analysis reveals significant differences in educational enrollment and outcomes by level of household expenditures and…