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COMMUNITY CONTROL OF SCHOOLS: A CHANGE STRATEGY FOR ALTERING THE LIFESTYLE AND IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR INNER CITY RESIDENTS OF ANACOSTIA, A WASHINGTON, D.C. COMMUNITY
Abstract
It has been more than a decade since community control of schools was the dominant issue in urban education. The concept that developed was as varied as the cities that tried to apply the idea. In Washington, D.C. where two different experiments were tried, one was the Anacostia Community School Project. This study is an attempt to assess the aspect of the Project which dealt with: (1) providing community boards to insure parent involvement; (2) developing exciting new curriculum; (3) utilizing community members, and through schools providing jobs, raising income levels of families, and developing career training in human services. In order to develop the proper perspective for the Anacostia experiment, Chapter I is devoted to a history of communities' efforts to control their schools. Beginning with the turn of the century attention is given to the political climate and how it affected schools. Efforts made by "progressives" to remove schools from unsavory political influence is noted, as is the establishment of a bureaucracy that eventually controlled the public schools. Some attention is devoted to immigration and its effect on schools and to the effect of blacks migrating to urban areas. Discussed, also, is the Supreme Court's decision outlawing segregation and the federal government's attempt to achieve equality through the Antipoverty Programs. Events related in Chapter I were significant in causing blacks, in their quest for improved lifestyles, to turn to community control of schools as a possible solution. Chapter II focuses on two experiments--the Adams-Morgan single school effort in Washington and the three experimental districts in New York City. These efforst served, more or less, as models that would guide cities bent on trying the concept, hoping that they would profit by earlier mistakes. Problems, successes and failures of these experiments are discussed. Chapter III is concerned with Phase I of the Anacostia Project which was monitored by the U.S. Office of Education. After examining the structure and organization of the Project, attention is given to problems, successes and failures. There follows an account of the attempt by the Office of Education to close down the Project, and the resulting response from the total community. A discussion of the reaction to and result of this dilemma follows in Chapter IV. There is also a discussion of Phase II of the Project which was reorganized under and monitored by the National Institute of Education. This phase is currently being studied by consultants engaged by the Institute. Chapter V consists of the most recent research conducted by the writer. Included are surveys and interviews involving the adult participants in the Project, as well as, the perusal of hundreds of materials and documents on file and in the writer's possession. The attempt is made to analyze the data in order to ascertain what progress has been made in eight years toward achieving what is considered an acceptable lifestyle. Chapter VI discusses the impact community control of schools has had on the Anacostia area. Insight is provided into two successful programs initiated by the community which have become models for Washington and for the nation. Pointed out, also, is the recognition by the community of its limitations in performing certain functions. Finally, the ramification concerning the restructuring of the urban school hierarchy involving city-wide school boards is discussed, with a suggestion for change. It is hoped that this study, made after a period of eight years, will provide information and give hope to those who still have confidence that parent involvement in the school decision-making process makes a difference in the performances of parents and their children.
Subject Area
School administration
Recommended Citation
RICE, WILLIAM STANTLEY, "COMMUNITY CONTROL OF SCHOOLS: A CHANGE STRATEGY FOR ALTERING THE LIFESTYLE AND IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR INNER CITY RESIDENTS OF ANACOSTIA, A WASHINGTON, D.C. COMMUNITY" (1980). Doctoral Dissertations Available from Proquest. AAI8019486.
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations/AAI8019486