Harvard Helps Local Schools

Harvard significantly expanded its involvement in local public education programs during the past two years, a University report released this week says.

According to the biannual Harvard University Community Report, Harvard provides Cambridge and Boston residents with a variety of educational opportunities both on campus and in the community.

"There are definitely greater educational opportunities around Cambridge linked with the University," said City Councillor Alice K. Wolf. "Harvard has certainly been willing to cooperate with the advisory committees, and a very good line of communication has developed."

Many of the University's educational programs are sponsored by graduate schools that provide scholarships, courses and lectures to local residents.

The School of Design added more new educational programs than any other part of the University during the past two years, the report says.

The school launched a program that provides full scholarships to more than 275 Cambridge Rindge and Latin School students to participate in a six-week summer program. It also added practical and enrichment courses for Boston-area professionals.

The Kennedy School of Government began sponsoring the "Partnership for a Brighter America," a seven-week program which provides Cambridge students with 30 hours per week of workshops, classes and field trips.

Harvard-affiliated programs aimed the elementary school level also increased in the last two years, the report says. Most of the programs are intended to improve math and science education in the public schools, the report says.