This "issue report" contains three articles centered around the concept of "social capital", and the role of the schools in community revitalization. "Social captial" consists of organizational networks of communication and shared values that provide collective support for adults and youth in a community. In "Social Capital and the Rebuilding of…

This report summarizes the results and impact of Title I and Chapter I reforms. In 1992-93, elementary and secondary students (n=6,403,054) participated in Chapter I in the United States; 17 percent of this population was limited English proficient (LEP). Although the program has helped many, educators and researchers have questioned the…

This newsletter theme issue addresses the needs of infants and young children at risk due to economic, cultural, and environmental disadvantages. Individual articles have the following titles and authors: "Understanding the Early Experience of Black Children in High Risk Environments: Culturally and Ecologically Relevant Research as a Guide to…

Children's exposure to violence can potentially impede all stages of their development. This bulletin discusses why abused children have difficulty learning and the impact of growing up in violent surroundings and unsafe neighborhoods. It identifies the risk factors of violence, as well as the following key factors that contribute to a child's…

Community-based prevention-oriented approaches that provide basic supports to families are needed to address rising rates of violence, child abuse, and other socially disruptive behavior. Weak families, weak neighborhoods, and weak economies are mutually reinforcing and lead to negative behaviors by youth and others. In proposing a community…

Efforts to prevent mental retardation have been encumbered by lack of scientific and technical knowledge, vague understanding of incidence and prevalence, and scarcity of resources to implement effective public policies. Scientific and social progress toward prevention has pursued a wavelike, erratic course, driven primarily by prevailing social,…

Those involved in early childhood development must recognize that many of their most cherished beliefs about what is best for children are cultural constructions. This book focuses on quality in large-scale programs for disadvantaged young children in a variety of cultural settings. Chapter 1, "Changing Childhoods," discusses issues…

This report discusses demographic characteristics of migrant students in the United States, their educational needs, the features of federally-funded programs under the Migrant Education Program (MEP) legislation reform, and suggestions for enhancing current migrant student performance. The MEP was established in 1966 and reauthorized in 1994. It…

This document consists of the two 1998 issues of a journal reporting new research in early child development conducted by the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In the Spring 1998 issue, articles highlight the Center's diverse cross-cultural projects and global research, training and…

This compilation of reprinted journal and newspaper articles covers the following topics: (1) The Front Lines; (2) Federal Policy; (3) Charter Schools; (4) School Choice; (5) Standards, Tests, and Accountability; (6) Teacher Quality; (7) Curriculum and Content; (8) Higher Education; and (9) Grab Bag. Each section is preceded by commentaries on…