Most women who maintain families have a strong commitment to the labor force but have lower average educational attainment and earnings, bringing them closer to poverty with each additional child. (JOW)

Even in early grades, a large gap in skills exists between students from economically advantaged and disadvantaged families. Evidence suggests that a substantial share of this skills gap emerges during the summer months, when school is not in session. Children from disadvantaged families experience greater losses in skills during summer vacations…

In a county by county analysis, this report assesses the quality of life for Kentucky's children. Researchers developed a child quotient (CQ) based on 18 indicators: per capita income, children in poverty, women receiving inadequate prenatal care, infant deaths, teens giving birth, substandard dwellings, children in foster care, per-pupil…

This monograph considers the problem of low achievement in elementary and secondary schools among Hispanic youth (approximately 75% score below grade on CAP tests given after third grade and remain underachievers throughout their school careers) and makes recommendations for improving equity of education. The root of the problem of Hispanic…

The U.S. Hispanic population is increasing faster than the non-Hispanic White population, and during the first half of the 21st century, the United States will have a "minority majority." California will reach that status in the next 4-7 years. Focus should not be on the "threat" that Latino population growth brings, hoping to…

This paper discusses one of the arguments that has been advanced against the use of standardized college admissions tests: the notion that their use leads admissions officers to reject non-Asian minority students on the basis of small and insignificant differences in scores. In the aggregate, the disadvantage minority students face as a result of…

The number of employed Americans increased but so did the number of those without jobs, as recovery from the 1980 recession proved to be brief; the family income of high-wage workers exceeded the poverty level, even when unemployed. (Author/SSH)

Worldwide enrollment in primary education has grown from 332 million in 1960 to 593 million in 1988. Despite this increase, a sizable proportion of primary school-age children in developing countries are not enrolled in school. In Sub-Saharan Africa, 56 million students are enrolled in primary education, but 38 million (49%) of the region's…

Provides numerous statistics on the unequal distribution of power and wealth among men, women, and minorities of the same educational levels. Argues for (1) the teaching of skills and content that will help students control their own destinies and (2) a cooperative social environment within each classroom. Appended are 13 references. (IW)

Social statistics may exaggerate the degree of hardship caused by labor market problems. Yet, in many ways social statistics underestimate the degree of hardship caused by extended unemployment, underemployment, and low wages. Therefore, new measures are needed to reassess long-term and cyclical labor market developments, the changing status of…