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How Can Schools and Communities Work Together to Meet the Challenge?

Montgomery County Public Schools Study Circles on education, fall 2007

Today, when we consider the new challenges confronting education--and our whole society--it seems especially difficult to know what we should expect from our schools. Challenges such as the gap in student achievement, violence and racial and ethnic tensions have a powerful and immediate impact on our schools. What do we want our students to know and be able to do? What can schools do to help them achieve these goals? What can we do, as a community, to help improve education?

Community members and schools need to work together to make education in their community all that it can be. Dialogue-to-change programs can help people build the trusting relationships necessary for long-term change. People from diverse backgrounds and experiences develop trust, understand each other's experiences, and work together on solutions.

Read profiles of programs making a difference on education in their communities

Success Stories

Montgomery County (Md.) schools enlist Hispanic parents to improve student success

A growing Hispanic student population prompts a Silver Spring, Md., school to engage Hispanic parents in finding ways to increase their involvement in schools for the success of all students. Read more

Sharing stories, finding solutions

What happens when the entire community is focused on the success of the children? Warren County, N.C., residents are finding out as they take part in the community's study circle program to help all of their students achieve and graduate. Read more

Habiba and the ‘Hard to Reach’

To build on the advantages of an increasingly diverse city, the school system and its Public Engagement Task Force of Hamilton, Ontario, organized a summit for immigrant families and educators to work together to help all students succeed. Read more

News Articles
September 22, 2008 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Portsmouth board: Pay attention to middle school process
by Adam Leech
September 13, 2008 | Alamogordo Daily News | Alamogordo, New Mexico Alamogordo, N.M., unites to improve education The spotlight effect on public education
by Sharon Morgan
September 10, 2008 | Chattanooga Times Free Press | Chattanooga, Tennessee Bringing change through conversation
September 9, 2008 | Dothan Eagle | Dothan, Alabama Dothan, Ala., shares its ideas for improving its schools Community prepares to tell Dothan City School Board its expectations
by Jim Cook
September 9, 2008 | Westport Now | Westport, Connecticut Landon: Westport Being a “Huge Beacon” Will Spur Growth
by Dave Matlow
August 19, 2008 | Alamogordo Daily News | Alamogordo, New Mexico New Mexico community working to improve schools 'A Community Conversation' open discussion
August 14, 2008 | Dothan Eagle | Dothan, Alabama Alabama community tackles education issues Yes We Can! group to hold more meetings
May 10, 2008 | Brattleboro Reformer | Brattleboro, Vermont A step toward a lasting peace
by Diane Wahle
May 7, 2008 | The Sentinel | Montgomery County, Maryland Working to address racial and ethnic barriers in schools Schools work to eliminate racial and ethnic barriers
by Bailey Quinonez
March 23, 2008 | Alamogordo Daily News | Alamogordo, New Mexico NEA grant will open dialog about public schools
by Joplin Sell
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