Davis, P. 1981c

Davis, Patricia M. 1981c. "The program and the community." In Larson, M. and Davis 1981. (Spanish version by Davis, P. 1979d.)

Because of the close relationship between school and community in a preliterate society, adopting a literacy program usually changes the group's social structure and lifestyle. To minimize the stress of such change, it is important to involve the community in making decisions relative to the establishment and operation of a school. It is also important for communities to base their decisions on adequate information, however difficult it is to explain things. Consultants can reduce stress by anticipating the situation and clarifying the following factors:

• Program participants
• Sociological and ecological factors
• Teacher's role; responsibilities and expectations that may impinge on community
• Benefits of bilingual education for community
• Available outside help
• Community responsibilities
• Necessary financial arrangements

Experience indicates that if everyone is aware of potential stress factors and is committed to seeking solutions, unity develops. Chapter 11 states that difficulties are overcome and schools become a beneficial reality.

• Bibliography module: Davis, P. 1981c
• In overview module: Bibliography (Literacy): D
• In modular book: Bibliography (Literacy), by Doris Gallemore, Trudi C. Hunt, Jeanne Swanson, and Stephen L. Walter
• In document collection: Reference materials
• In bookshelf: Literacy

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 4.0, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 28 June 1999

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