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This workshop stresses the importance of advisories to the learning process. It stresses that relationships and the personalization of learning are fundamentals to the learning process both in and out of school. It suggests that advisory groups, even in large schools, create the conditions for improving student achievement and behavior and enrich the lives of students and teachers through personalization of the learning experience. Research demonstrates that personalization of the learning environment--enabling students to know well, and be known well by, at least one adult in their school--leads to improved student outcomes in school. (AMT)

This report presents principles and practices associated with establishing and maintaining effective community-based partnerships. Since 1993 a total of 25 private colleges and universities and nearly 30 community groups have participated in the College/Community Partnership Program, an effort to encourage private colleges and community groups to collaborate in encouraging and preparing students in low-income communities to attend college or other postsecondary institutions. These partnerships serve over 1,400 youth between grades 4 and 12. This report identifies more than 40 principles and practices associated with establishing and maintaining effective community-based partnerships. The report, which is the product of external evaluations, site visits, and focus groups, is divided into three sections: The first provides an overview of the historical and national context in which the program operates. The second section identifies organizational strategies for developing academic support programs; for effectively serving the students in the program; for involving the community; and for sustaining the partnerships. The third section offers recommendations for policymakers based on the principles and practices presented. An appendix describes 16 of the partnerships developed under the program. (DB)