A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Snapshots: Communities on the Move

This section provides specific information about what communities are doing all across the country to promote education.

San Antonio 2000's "The Co."

A unique public-private partnership serving more than 60,000 young people is helping San Antonio, Texas, to meet National Education Goal Six: safe, disciplined, and drug-free schools. Throughout the school year and in the summer months, young people in the city can take advantage of a recreational program that gives them a positive alternative to gang activity.

The Coalition -- or simply "The Co." -- offers thousands of hours of recreational programming, field trips, special events, and benefits to San Antonio’s youth ages 6 through 19. Free membership entitles young people to programs and services from affiliated agencies such as the Parks and Recreation Department, YMCA, the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Boy and Girl Scouts, the Police Athletic League, and numerous social service agencies. San Antonio’s Transit Authority provides free transportation for all "The Co." members, Sea World contributes free field trips, and local universities grant scholarships to sports camps held at their facilities. In addition, there are over 40 businesses offering discounts for clothing, food, entertainment for "The Co." members. For more information, contact San Antonio Parks and Recreation at (210) 299-8452.

Cleveland/Bradley County 2000 Tackles Goal Five

In East Tennessee, Cleveland/Bradley County 2000 has enlisted the aid of several prominent businesses, including Magic Chef, Inc., Wal-Mart, The Cleveland Bank and Trust, Eaton Corp., as well as parent-teacher organizations, student advisory groups, and members of the community at large in its efforts to ensure citizens are literate and prepared for the demands of the world economy.

With some special help from Magic Chef, Cleveland/Bradley County 2000 is working to improve the vocational courses taken by about 75 percent of the local seventh- and eighth-graders. Work has begun to create 20 new educational modules to train students in their selected profession. Modular vocational programs emphasize problem solving, self-management, small group work, communication skills, and uses existing technology to teach students about technology.

The community has also created a video promoting adult literacy, set to a popular song "Billy Can’t Read," now in use in several of Cleveland/Bradley schools and at local conferences. Plans are underway for a benefit concert whose proceeds will go to a GED Scholarship Fund for the many adults who cannot afford the GED preparation and test fees. For more information, contact Don Munson, manager, Wal-Mart, Keith Street, Cleveland, TN 37320.

Independence, Missouri, Focuses on Families

For GOALS 2000: Educate Independence (Missouri), reaching Goal One--All children ready to learn--is a family affair. Of the wide range of programs and services provided to help prepare children for school, most focus on helping parents and families to be better teachers.

In addition to national programs such as Head Start, Even Start, and Parents as Teachers, Independence has developed a number of "homegrown" programs that integrate services for children and families, including the Direction Service Center, a nonprofit information and referral agency for parents, a support network for family child care providers, and a system of preschool-age child care.

The "Practical Parenting Partnership" begun last year in three elementary schools, trains mothers and fathers to assist other parents in helping their children develop a stronger healthier self-concept. The district eventually plans to spread program out to all thirteen elementary schools in the area.

"Reading and Dads," or RAD, was initiated in response to the growing need to include fathers in the education of their children. Through this program, dads come to school during the work day and read to their children.

To learn more, contact James M. Caccamo, Ph.D. at The Office of Special Programs, 1231 South Windsor, Independence, Missouri, 64055. (816) 833-3433.

Boulder Valley 2000: Focusing on Young Children

The Boulder 2000 project has been working on National Education Goal One: All children ready to learn. In this Colorado community, the effort will concentrate on helping parents in their role as their children’s first teachers. Specially designed book packs have been distributed to teen parenting classes, expecting parents who take classes at hospitals, and a clinic in the mountains for expecting parents. Businesses in the community have come together to provide books, pamphlets, and t-shirts for the packs.

Six community bookstores donated picture books for children. The local McDonalds donated 200 pamphlets in both English and Spanish that listed books promoting early learning as well as tips for parents on how to read to kids. Paine Webber printed "begin with books" on infant t-shirts donated by the local Wal-Mart.

The Bushnell Theater in Hartford, CT

The Bushnell Theater has developed an arts in education program for schools in three area school districts called "PARTNERS – Partners in Arts and Education Revitalizing Schools." The program combines the work of over fifty arts, education, corporate funding and community organizations and individuals. Their integrated, sequential education program utilizes the arts to improve skills in literacy and understanding of diverse cultures, and sponsors a series of family events both in and outside of schools. (Call Douglass Evans, (203) 527-3123).

Arts in Community Education, Milwaukee, WI

The Milwaukee Symphony sponsors the Arts in Community Education program, which brings together 18 schools, individual artists, parents, and nine other community performing arts groups who see the arts as vital to education reform and higher academic standards. The program is integrated with each school’s basic curriculum by arts as well as non-arts teachers, and a strong assessment component is demonstrating its significant impact on students’ learning. Now in its fourth year, ACE is increasing its teacher preparation, planning and feedback components. The assessment is also showing that parents are learning along with their children and are interested in being more involved with the program. (Call Mary Wayne Fritzsche, (414) 291-7610.)

-###-

[Family Involvement]

[At-Risk Students]