Cross-sector collaborations can generate the resources and political will necessary to tackle urgent, complex issues. Because these partnerships involve local leaders, they are typically responsive to their surrounding communities, addressing local concerns, and capitalizing upon local assets. These strengths-oriented, locally driven…

This case represents an effort to connect academic learning with educational reform in real time. It describes a district initiative to meaningfully engage a skeptical community and the subsequent attempts of university-based researchers to provide further entry points into the perspectives and concerns of educational partners. What is compelling…

Iin urban communities across the nation, a broad range of partners have committed to reinventing educational time together to ensure equitable access to rich learning opportunities for all young people. Across the nation, education partners are using their creativity, commitment, and unique resources to create new school and system designs that…

Montclair Cares About Schools (MCAS) is a citizen-activist group in Montclair, New Jersey, that used Facebook, emails, and online petitions to inform and organize citizens on local educational policy issues. Emerging in response to a new superintendent's plans to reshape Montclair schools with new teacher evaluations, administrative hires, and…

The election of Mayor Bill de Blasio in November 2013 was a historic moment for proponents of student-centered, equity-driven public education. During the campaign, de Blasio ran on an agenda of ending New York City's "Tale of Two Cities" and elevated a comprehensive vision for improving the city's more than 1,800 public schools as a…

The relationship between students' living in poverty and academic underachievement challenges schools across the nation. Poverty is particularly prevalent among children with disabilities. One detrimental condition of poverty that directly affects student development and academic achievement is food insecurity and hunger. With the increasing…

New York City's new mayor, Bill de Blasio, represents a dramatic shift from his predecessor Michael Bloomberg in the area of education. Bloomberg was a national trendsetter on market reforms focused on privatization, testing, and competition. De Blasio was elected on an agenda of classroom investments, student supports, parent and community…

Research exploring the impact of social class on family and school relationships indicates that families with high levels of socioeconomic status (SES) possess resources that enable participation in traditionally accepted forms of family engagement (Henderson and Mapp, in, A new wave of evidence: The impact of school, family, and community…

Describes the participation of Grand Rapids (Michigan) citizens in a planning experiment about educational and human services. (MLF)

The article describes procedures used by a residential facility to successfully deinstitutionalize severely/profoundly handicapped persons. (CL)

Describes a community building self-assessment tool which allows schools to continuously assess community outreach efforts and serves as a guide for outreach planning. Broad findings are reported along with implications at the state level. This article is a Washington Environmental Education Model Schools Program final report. (AIM)

Summarized is Arnstein's "ladder of citizen participation" for environmental decision making which indicates the necessity for collaboration between teachers and planners. A ladder of "teacher-planner" collaboration is needed to precede Arnstein's. (DC)

Two small school districts (one K-12, the other 9-12) reorganized their high school programs so they operate as a single entity and without closing either site. One site serves as an English and humanities center, the other as a mathematics and science center. Collaboration has improved the academic program and cut expenses. (MLF)

Many schools have instituted their own community polls to provide a vehicle for school decision-making. Highlights the steps involved in developing effective polling techniques through adaptation of the Gallup Poll. Includes a discussion of "do's" and "don'ts" for telephone pollsters and a sample polling instrument. (MD)

A guide for the use by project organizers in the process of creating school-based community projects suggests ways of cultivating school-community relationships. Positive relations with community allies assures fewer obstacles and greater opportunities. An example of a successful community alliance in action is illustrated and identifying…