Using a nationally representative database of students in grades one through six, this study estimates the effects of number of parents and maternal working on children's school-related achievement. Achievement scores are lower for children from one-parent than from two-parent homes. The effect appears to work primarily through the lower income of…

This paper presents a replication of previous research which estimated a structural equation model relating elementary school age students' achievement to the number of parents and maternal work. The research presented here focuses on secondary school age students, and provides partial support for previous findings in which elementary school age…

Census data on poverty in 1987 indicate that the economic recovery has been uneven, with the poor sharing less fully in the gains than in prior recoveries. Despite a drop in the national unemployment rate from 7 percent in 1986 to 6.2 percent in 1987, the poverty rate of 13.5 percent has remained essentially unchanged. Although 1987 represented…

Data from the 1980 Census were used in a study of the major demographic and socioeconomic differences between Puerto Ricans and "Other Hispanics" (excluding Cubans and Mexicans) residing in New York City. The research was conducted partly to understand whether the Puerto Rican population, with a much longer residence history in New York…

Black people constitute the second largest racial group in the United States. The population grew by 17 percent between 1970 and 1980. This booklet provides the following types of information about black Americans: (1) population trends; (2) residence patterns; (3) economic status; (4) employment status; (5) home ownership; (6) voting potential;…

Many studies have examined factors influencing the career aspirations of high school students, but little has been done to explore this issue with primary school students. This study investigated factors that might influence the career aspirations of children across a broad age spectrum. Students (N=150) from grades 2, 5, 8, and 12 completed…

An estimated 44,340 longer term resident households in rural Kentucky were studied to identify the variables that explained changes in household income status between 1974-79. In a nine-county area of south-central Kentucky, rapid employment growth between 1974 and 1979 created new job opportunities, but employment growth did not benefit all…

For advocates, parents, educators, researchers, and speechmakers, this book brings together key facts and statistical data about the American family, now and in the near future. The first section provides an overview of population and demographic trends extending through the first decade of the 21st century. This overview is followed by sections…

A study of 1980 Census data revealed the following about the position of Hispanics, and particularly Hispanic women, in New York State: (1) Hispanics are growing rapidly in size and political significance, with their population rising 23% in New York and 61.02% nationally; (2) the young age and high fertility rates of Hispanics guarantee that they…

Emily Beller and Michael Hout examine trends in U.S. social mobility, especially as it relates to the degree to which a person's income or occupation depends on his or her parents' background and to the independent contribution of economic growth. They also compare U.S. social mobility with that in other countries. They conclude that…

The purpose of the study reported in this document was to determine the expectancy levels of Puerto Rican mothers for their children's educational careers. A sample of 125 mothers whose children attended a Chicago elementary school, located in a lower socioeconomic Spanish-speaking community, provided the data reported. Specific factors examined…

This report presents the findings of an Alaska State Department community survey of child care needs in Alaskan population centers typical of 4 kinds of communities found in Alaska (urban area, moderate-size town, small town and native regional center). The purpose of the study was to provide reliable data for statewide planning. Professional…

This study investigates the impact of family configuration and parent education-income level on parental beliefs, the relationship between these beliefs and actual parental practices, and the effect of parental practices on children's problem-solving abilities. One hundred twenty intact families participated in the study. Forty families consisted…

Documenting the impact of 1978-79 Community Resource Development (CRD) projects, this national study presents data in response to a congressional mandate calling for assessment of the consequences and effectiveness of Community Resource Development projects. The report presents findings derived from questionnaires sent to 47 state CRD leaders, 120…

In a national public opinion survey of more than 4,000 adults and a survey of 830 National School Boards Association (NSBA) members at their 1979 national convention, 86 percent of the public and 93 percent of the NSBA respondents endorsed vocational education. Approximately three-quarters of the public but less than half of the NSBA members were…