Citizenship depends on knowledge What could be more important than learning about government? United States citizens need to stay informed, know their rights, and be involved. It's basic to a democratic system. The updated United States Government goes beyond planting the seed for citizen participation. This comprehensive text explores the origins and development of our government, the history of political parties, and branches of government. The timely topics of voting, results of the 2004 election, foreign policy, terrorism, economics, and the media's role are covered in detail. United States Government is designed to appeal to students. Colorful graphics, charts, biographies, vocabulary, and study tips motivate learning. Throughout, students are encouraged to relate government to their own lives with these added sidebars: Civics Connection, Did You Know?, Government in Your Life, and Writing About Government. Lexile Level 930 Reading Level 3-4 Interest Level 6-12

Strengthen programs of family and community engagement to promote equity and increase student success! When schools, families, and communities collaborate and share responsibility for students′ education, more students succeed in school. Based on 30 years of research and fieldwork, the fourth edition of the bestseller School, Family, and Community Partnerships: Your Handbook for Action, presents tools and guidelines to help develop more effective and more equitable programs of family and community engagement. Written by a team of well-known experts, it provides a theory and framework of six types of involvement for action; up-to-date research on school, family, and community collaboration; and new materials for professional development and on-going technical assistance. Readers also will find: Examples of best practices on the six types of involvement from preschools, and elementary, middle, and high schools Checklists, templates, and evaluations to plan goal-linked partnership programs and assess progress CD-ROM with slides and notes for two presentations: A new awareness session to orient colleagues on the major components of a research-based partnership program, and a full One-Day Team Training Workshop to prepare school teams to develop their partnership programs. As a foundational text, this handbook demonstrates a proven approach to implement and sustain inclusive, goal-linked programs of partnership. It shows how a good partnership program is an essential component of good school organization and school improvement for student success. This book will help every district and all schools strengthen and continually improve their programs of family and community engagement.