She said that although some businesses had "adopted" schools and provided adult mentors for students, they had been loath to intervene in early childhood.

Unless we're willing to work with people like that, people who are saving kids, adopting schools, making streets safer.

They are adopting high schools and creating curriculums designed to prepare students for college work.

Some corporations have already begun working to improve public education, "adopting" schools and sending employees to work with students.

Some have adopted public schools by donating computers, carpeting and other supplies.

They adopt classes and schools, provide summer jobs, provide tutors in specialty subjects, subsidize scholarships.

Companies set quotas for hiring minorities and women, then filled them by holding job fairs, recruiting at black colleges and adopting inner-city schools.

Meanwhile, Tarashkyevich's grammar had apparently been planned to be adopted in the workers' and peasants' schools of Belarus that were to be set up.

Ms. Brooks said the board was examining a plan for churches to "adopt" schools and provide mentoring, tutorial and other services.

Mr. Dinkins did mention a campaign to recruit business and civic leaders to adopt public schools.