Morrissey, Leikes, and Cochran (this issue) raise concerns about potential negative effects of state pre-kindergarten (pre-K) on the early care and education system. To put their study in context, I reviewed national demographic and enrollment trends. I found little evidence of negative effects from state pre-K policy. One reason may be that…

Although Black and Hispanic congressmen managed to overcome redistricting of urban areas and maintain or increase their seats in the House, demographic trends remain a threat to minority representation. There are two solutions: (1) a break-up of de facto residential segregation, and (2) increased willingness of White majorities to elect minority…

A network analytic approach to the community question is proposed in order to separate concepts which may or may not be closely associated. (Author/RLV)

The number of people moving away from the standard metropolitan statistical areas is greater than the number moving to them. Economic factors, demographic trends, and social values responsible for this change are discussed. Economic functions, the physical environment, and the government of the new, emerging metropolis are examined. (RM)

Examines subgroups of the homeless population and their needs for shelter. Argues that governments and charities should make distinctions among the highly diverse groups of the homeless and cease providing unlimited and unconditional aid to the able bodied, which tends to ensnare youth in the culture of dependency. (FMW)

The electronics revolution is changing way work is done and description of available jobs, shifting some jobs from office to home, and offering new communication services. Technology's impact on central business districts (CBDs) will depend on broad economic forces, but its effects on CBDs as business locations will be conditioned by local real…

Considers changing urban demography, its impact on urban education, and the recommendations of other authors in this journal issue. Calls for greater commitment by colleges and universities to improve urban school systems. (GC)

An attempt is made to solve the problem of how the existence of a natural ruling class in the United States determines the shape and character of the urban residential neighborhood. (Author/RLV)

Explanations for growth beyond central city borders are examined. Presented is a general overview of the confrontation between conventional and critical urban theory. (Author/RM)

Reviews factors such as income, employment, housing, and transportation which tend to keep women and female-headed families concentrated in cities. Proposes that cities are ideal places for future experimentation in lifestyles not based on traditional sex roles. (GC)

Although racial discrimination contributes to increasing urban social dislocation, problems such as massive joblessness, the influx of migrants to cities, and demographic shifts underlie the current crisis. Change will only come about through public policies that benefit all the poor, not just poor minorities. (Author/GC)

America's older, larger cities are unable to provide employment opportunities and social mobility to its growing number of disadvantaged residents because cities' economic base of blue-collar industry has been replaced by the service and information industries. Cities currently face a residence-job opportunity mismatch. (ML)

Discusses the definition, size and composition, and growth of the underclass. Suggests the following policy directions: (1) invest in children; (2) provide support for families who want to move out of the ghetto; and (3) replace the welfare system with income support more closely tied to employment. (FMW)

This report provides statistical evidence of worsening conditions facing Puerto Ricans in America in the areas of (1) unemployment, (2) poverty, (3) demographics, and (4) education. It concludes with recommendations from the National Puerto Rican Forum. The unemployment rate for Puerto Ricans is the highest among Hispanic population groups. The…

Triage policy is the exclusion of severely declining urban areas from services and programs on the grounds that the intensity of their needs cannot be met and the provision of services is therefore inefficient. Community groups must insist that severity of need, human benefits, and community protection be the priorities for allocation of funds.…