The facts are this is happening at both our private and public institutions. I have written in the past about the extraordinary efforts of the University of North Carolina System in helping to reform our schools, and now I am writing about our state's independent colleges and universities.

In a booklet published by the N.C. Independent Colleges and Universities, we can read of the excellent work being done by these fine schools of education. We commend President Hope Williams and her staff for compiling this information into an easy-to-read document.

North Carolina's 36 independent colleges and universities have long enjoyed positive partnerships with our public schools. However, as our public schools have reached the top in progress, these partnerships have expanded and have become more effective.

These developing partnerships do not involve just the students in teacher education programs. Thousands of non-teaching education students across the state are volunteering to serve as tutors and mentors for K-12 students. Professors often serve as consultants and entire schools are being “adopted” by colleges and universities.

Some of these partnerships involve getting students on college campuses early in their schooling. Students have the opportunity to get the feel for college life and hopefully to learn the need to work hard and to make good grades in order to qualify to go to college.

Space permits the mention of only a few exemplary efforts. Barton College and the Wilson Educational Partnership are involved with a new program (HOSTS: Helping One Student to School). The program pairs a student who needs help in learning with a faculty member.

An innovative Voice of the Rivers expedition has been sponsored twice by Brevard College. In 1997 seven students and a faculty member spent 105 days on several rivers and visits to more than 6,000 students and adults in schools along the way. A second trip involved 13 students and two faculty members.

Catawba College also has adopted a school, and its Psychology Department is active in working with students, including 70 who participate in a Buddy Day project. Chowan works on physical fitness activities for elementary students. Duke's partnership with Durham is perhaps the most comprehensive in the state. It also heavily involves the business community in improving schools and strengthening neighborhoods. They donate equipment and are also involved in early childhood efforts.

Peace students work with students who live nearby at Halifax Court in many innovative ways. Pfeiffer has the QUEST program for low-income students. It is designed to improve both academic and leadership skills.

St. Augustine's works with a charter public school on campus. Shaw and other institutions are very involved in the Communities in Schools program.

Elon and Meredith participate in the popular Teaching Fellows program, which attracts bright young people into the teaching profession. Salem and Meredith serve as hosts for the Governor's School in the summer.

There are many similar efforts on a number of campuses including faculty members serving on committees in the community on a wide variety of causes, developing and delivering staff development for K-12 educators, sponsoring cultural arts events, offering competitive programs such as competition in writing, sharing library resources, helping students to learn to read, assisting with technology training, etc.

As we work toward Gov. Hunt's goal of our public schools being “First in America by 2010,” the continued expansions of these partnerships is essential.

For a copy of this report, write N.C. Independent Colleges and Universities, 879-A Washington Street, Raleigh, NC 27605 or www.NCICU.org.

Return to magazine index