A college education is an investment in the future of every student who pursues one, but it does not come cheap. College expenses include tuition, fees, books, equipment, and room and board, if a student chooses to live on campus. These all add up, and every student must determine where the funding for college will come from. Students with…

For many decades, the six national disability advocacy organizations that endorse the legislative agenda contained in this document have recognized the vital role the federal government plays in the everyday lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. From civil rights protections to community housing, from…

Examines the Social Security program as it relates to women in the workplace. As increasing numbers of working-age women enter the paid labor force, women's groups are voicing their concerns of the inequitable distribution of Social Security benefits. Discusses three options for reform and expected changes. (Author/ABL)

The major types of U.S. federal, state, and local taxes are explored, and the impact of those taxes on all types of women--rich and poor, old and young, employed and not employed, parent and non-parent--are examined. Specifically discussed are the social security tax; the federal income tax system, including the marriage tax, the earned income…

CSWE mandates the study of social welfare policy, its history, and its evaluation; thus, assignments that require students to select policy for study are common. Educators provide frameworks for analysis but may not address the prerequisite step of locating policy for study, so students flounder in government documents without the tools to…

Students are well served by course simulations that employ active learning styles and student-driven interaction. For debate on political issues, particular public policies are quite effective in stimulating that discussion. We developed an in-class simulation of political debate on the issue of Social Security. We describe the simulation itself,…

On March 3, 2005, a gathering of policy-shapers, thought-leaders and decision-makers met for The National Summit on Economic and Financial Literacy to promote the benefits of economic and financial literacy to individuals, families, businesses and communities. The ultimate goal of the Summit was to ensure that everyone has the real-life skills…

The electoral victory of Lu?s In?cio "Lula" da Silva in the presidential elections of 2002 epitomized two decades of social and political transformations in Brazil. Nevertheless, instead of launching an alternative mode of doing politics, the program of the Workers' Party affirmed a state logic with a view to gradually updating the…

The programmatic structure and modes of implementation of U.S. social provisions must be understood in order to gain insight into social programs in the United States. National standards have not been established for public benefits and "social security" has remained firmly separated, both institutionally and symbolically, from…

Institutions must provide good counseling regarding retirement program benefits, since when in doubt about their financial position faculty members are inclined to remain employed. Colleges should consider offering nonfinancial incentives for early retirement as well as financial. (MLW)

This paper looks at the three employee benefit items that are most costly for employers--retirement programs, Social Security/Medicare contributions, and major medical insurance coverage--to estimate the costs of these benefits in school districts in the 15 states of the Southern Regional Education Board (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia,…

In Germany, after elementary school, the school system splits into three branches, with students either preparing for an apprenticeship or continuing in school. A second system exists, parallel to this education system, which combines general education with basic professional training. The first key career decision point is in Grade 4, when…

This report describes the nation's progress in advancing public policies to increase the inclusion, empowerment, and independence of people with disabilities of all ages consistent with the vision of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The report covers the period of November 1999 through November 2000. It reviews federal policy…

This annual report details the activities of the National Council on Disability (NCD) in fiscal year 1997. These activities centered on public policy, civil rights, technology, and international policy. In addition, NCD continued its efforts to eliminate government duplication by organizing interagency coordination meetings to facilitate a…

Describes class exercises where undergraduates construct and test mathematical models using data and issues related to social security. The students collect data and forecast economic and demographic variables that determine future tax rates. They then discuss government policies that are derived from their models. (MJP)