Senior citizens' groups send volunteers to the school each week to tutor and read aloud to students. Cable companies provide facilities for film editing of student productions. A bookstore owner, formerly a middle school principal, has taught the kindergartners about cuneiform writing and helped them create their own books of hieroglyphics. Through her efforts, the kindergarten viewed a cuneiform display shown only to selected audiences. She also has helped the school collect multicultural fairy tales.
Parents participate on committees and attend monthly meetings for updates on school programs.
In addition, the school sponsors a parent coordinator who, during home visits to families, advises on parenting and homework assistance. Evidence of Success S ince the schoolwide project began, Lingelbach's students' scores on standardized tests have improved almost 18 NCE points in math and 9 in reading. The number of children who qualify for Chapter 1 services academically has decreased almost 13 percent. The percent of children earning A's, B's, and C's has increased, while the number earning D's and F's has decreased. Attendance has increased on average from 85 percent to 93 percent.