BUILDING FOR SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY - Kennedy Bibliothek

"Almost without exception, the various samples of individuals
involved were highly complimentary of the efforts of the program.
Nowhere in the data is there any significant tendency to view the
components of the program as unsatisfactory, excepting in areas where
the inquiry focused on a need for additional resources and materials.
The respondents evidenced considerable morale relative to their own
schools or the schools which were attended by their children. The
responses were characterised by a high degree of realism (e.g. we
don't see the need for additional secretarial service as important).
Perhaps the most unusual aspect of this endeavour is the general
tendency of the responses obtained in- the inquiry to reflect a difference
of opinion in regard to the often heard comments that,
(1) children view their schools negatively, (2) parents are down on
the schools, and (3) staff morale is at its lowest ebb. These are
not warranted according to the present data. This does not mean, of
course, that there is not room for improvement. Inter-agency communication,
the involvement of parents and staff in program decisions
and the need to clarify the nature of administrative and board
support remain to be improved upon.
Furthermore, in order for specific improvements to occur, it will be
necessary to focus upon the identification of those factors which
would result in these improvements. Attitudes and concepts should
be comprehensively viewed in relation to achievement and also between
community schools and non-community schools."
The evaluation does not include facilities aspects. It shows, however,
an overall contentedness with the way community education has developed.
Both Flint and New Haven have achieved a fair amount of stability in the
co-ordination of services during decades of development and growth of the
concept.
East Windsor
116. East Windsor, New Jersey, is an upper middle-class and middle-class
suburb of New York, a low density residential area in the neighbourhood
of Princeton, and one of the few communities in the country which is still
growing. In contrast to Flint and New Haven, "community education"
programs only started recently. The fast and successful introduction of
the concept, however, has been possible because, of a long-standing history
of inter-agency and inter-governmental co-operation, in addition to recently
planned change. East Windsor provides an example in between "organic
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