Education

STATE OF THE SOUTH 2004:  Fifty Years After Brown v. Board of Education
MDC's report calls upon Southern leaders to step up and meet serious public education issues, especially the status of the high school. This report emphasizes the primacy of a strong teacher corps and elimination of high poverty schools. Both of these matters merit immediate and constant attention to assure change.

"I would urge the report be read far and wide."
William Friday, President Emeritus, University of North Carolina

To view the executive summary, click here.
To view the full report in a pdf file, click here.

LESSONS FROM THE RURAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE INITIATIVE:  From 1994 through 2001, 24 economically distressed sites across America tested a new concept in rural development. The Rural Community College Initiative (RCCI) enhanced colleges' capacity to equip people for productive, rewarding work while building their regions' economic vitality. A series of reports and videos documents the RCCI's lessons and provides tools for community colleges, rural development practitioners, philanthropy, and state and federal policy makers.  Click here for further information on the series.

EXPANDING ECONOMIC AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY IN DISTRESSED RURAL AREAS:  The conceptual framework of the Rural Community College Initiative, a national program to assist community colleges in distressed areas, in partnership with their communities, in building effective strategies for economic development and educational access. Funded by the Ford Foundation. May 1998. Print publication free. Pdf available online free.

LEADERSHIP FOR CHANGE:  This publication from the demonstration phase of the Rural Community College Initiative (RCCI) discusses MDC's framework for understanding the multiple levels of competencies community leaders need in order to undertake effective community-change efforts and explores RCCIs methods and strategies as a structure for addressing those competency needs. Pdf available online free.

WALKING THE TALK: Increasing Educational Options for Southern Youth:  Strategies to raise aspirations and academic achievement and expand future career options for middle and high school students. 1996. $15.

I WOULD HAVE TAUGHT YOU DIFFERENTLY: Bringing an Understanding of the Economy into the Schools:  How middle schools, high schools, and employers have partnered to raise students' and teachers' awareness of the job market and career opportunities. 1996. $15.

ADULT LITERACY EDUCATION IN THE SOUTH: Cinderella Without a Slipper:  a report on the human and economic impact of the literacy crisis facing the South. Funded by the John S. and James L. Knight foundation, the Josephus Daniels Foundation, and the A.J. Fletcher foundation. January 1992. Free.

GAINING THE COMPETITIVE EDGE: The Challenge to North Carolina's Community Colleges:  report of the Commission on the Future of North Carolina's Community College System. Funded by the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. February 1989. $5.