Presents eight case studies of lawyers who work for legal aid societies or provide free legal services to poor people. Includes quotes by the attorneys describing specific cases and why they became involved in providing free legal counsel. (CFR)

The movement to reform the Chicago (Illinois) public schools faces a host of problems in the classroom and a sea of social ills outside the classroom. Without support from the African American community and largely cut off from the reform process, neither significant progress nor progressive change can be made. (SLD)

Describes how a system approach, often used in instructional systems design, was applied to the solution of a societal problem, i.e., how to enable small communities with limited resources to carry out successful substance abuse prevention programs involving training and education. Needs assessment is discussed and curriculum design is described.…

Reviews literature of controversies surrounding the rise of big cities in Western Europe and the United States. Comments that popular concepts of unspoiled nature and biblical tradition influenced antiurbanism. Notes fears of disease, breakdown of families, and rising crime rate were major concerns. Defenders countered cities would become centers…

Attempts to apply D. Lawton's concept of curriculum as a selection from a culture to planning curricula for post-Apartheid South Africa. Examines which groups might do the selecting, choosing from which cultures, and the possibility of a common curriculum for a country divided along racial and ethnic lines. (JB)

Although a cursory look at race relations in the United States gives the impression that all is well, five articles are introduced that address racism in the United States from a variety of perspectives and demonstrate a new "symbolic" racism and a new politics of race emphasizing racial differences. (SLD)

Discusses the causes of the Los Angeles (California) riots, and considers why such events have not occurred more often. Conflict-resolving forums that are needed are discussed, and a systematic search for urban programs that work is advocated. Urban problems must be seen as the result of unsatisfied human needs. (SLD)

Examines the interconnections between African Americans residing in deteriorating urban areas and the broader U.S. society. Focuses on the orientations of 10 men and 10 women in Detroit (Michigan). Interviews with participants suggest a dialectic in which they are both connected to and disconnected from mainstream society. (SLD)

The organizational model used in American schools must be scrutinized to determine its effectiveness in the face of the changing demographics of American schools. Transforming the schools depends on social and attitudinal changes that incorporate political changes directed at social problems. (SLD)

Discusses the role of teachers in terms of the changing social patterns in which that role occurs. Describes social problems in Canada today and resulting youth alienation and disconnectedness. Suggests that the role of teachers must include initiatives to link schools, students, families, and community agencies. (LP)

Explores blame analysis, which evaluates ideas about the causes of group differences according to how these ideas make groups look, and the relationship between cause and blame. Because cause does not indicate blame, it is unnecessary to become involved in the polemic between victim blamers and victim defenders. (SLD)

Discusses the large-scale reemergence of homelessness within the last 20 years. Examines the characteristics of the newly and chronic homeless. Considers a number of economic and public-policy factors contributing to this situation. Outlines a classroom presentation using graphs, statistics, and discussion questions to illustrate this information.…

In a learning community, students learn to cooperate and make teams work. Past technologies (print, photography, film, and computers) have enabled idea sharing, but are one-way communication modes. Broader learning communities have been made possible through electronic field trips, online mentoring, science investigations, and humanities…

Assesses the social and environmental problems of 132 patients seen in a primary care clinic at a university-affiliated Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center. Prevalent social problems included financial difficulties, personal stress, family problems, legal concerns, and employment concerns. Findings suggest a clear need for social work…

Describes Partners in Human Rights Education in which the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides the framework for using interactive teaching methods to relate human-rights concepts to students' lives. Highlights Amnesty International's "Urgent Action Network" that encourages children to become lobbyists in a letter-writing…