Describes results of study of five high-poverty districts' successful efforts to improve academic achievement: Adline Independent School District (Texas), Chula Vista Elementary School District (California), Kent County Public Schools (Maryland), Minneapolis Public Schools (Minnesota), and Providence Public Schools (Rhode Island). Focuses on…

Discusses specialized British texts, such as spelling books, manuals, and readers, composed by Mrs. Jodie K. Trimmer, an 18th century visionary who used charity schools and Sunday schools to educate the poor. Educationists teamed against Trimmer materials to conform its religious content to secular format. (KDR)

Used 1970-90 Census data to examine changes in spatial concentrations of income and poverty within large metropolitan areas. The filtering of older residential buildings to lower-income groups contributed to increased poverty and decreased median household incomes within central cities and certain inner suburbs. White flight and the non-poor's…

Describes the state of economic, political, and social crisis in Zambia and the response of the labor movement and workers' education programs. (SK)

Suggests that protecting children is humanity's moral litmus test and the overarching moral challenge in our world and nation, where millions of children's lives are ravaged by adult wars, neglect, abuse, and racial, ethnic, religious, and class divisions. Notes that what school leaders accomplish now (investing in child health, early childhood…

Asserts that many children of immigrants are growing up under severely disadvantaged conditions. Poor schools, tough neighborhoods, and lack of role models related to parental poverty make it difficult for these children to achieve academically. Assimilation under these conditions leads to poverty and permanent disadvantage. Asserts that family…

Investigated the college enrollment process among African American females from poor communities, examining the life histories and social relationships of women who did and did not enroll in college. Overall, respondents' ability to enroll related to patterns of perceptions regarding self, family interaction, and connectedness to others.…

Interviewed 257 impoverished, urban public housing residents regarding how empowerment, sense of community, and neighboring behavior affected the likelihood of their engaging in discussion about community issues directly affecting their lives and the lives of their neighbors. Overall, sense of community and neighboring behaviors predicted…

A development project in a poor east Indian community used community development and sustainable livelihoods methods that understated the critical importance of rank, caste, and power relations. Implemented out of context, these models became obstacles to survival and development. (Contains 16 references.) (SK)

Asserts that vouchers are not the solution to public school problems, calling vouchers political and economic schemes for creating a market system of schools that would effectively reinforce separate and unequal school systems. Notes that no evidence supports the superiority of vouchers or private schools, though evidence demonstrates substantial…

The Chinese Perceived Causes of Poverty Scale (CPCPS), constructed to assess how Chinese people explain poverty, covers four areas of explanations: personal problems, lack of opportunities, exploitation, and bad fate. Chinese secondary school students were administered the CPCPS. Four subscales were abstracted from their responses and found to be…

Discusses the British underclass, a subgroup of poor people who live off mainstream society without participating in it. Examines the underclass' roots in illegitimacy, crime, and voluntary unemployment. Suggests that well-intentioned social policies have removed incentives for change. (FMW)

Downtown developments have saved some cities from collapse but don't make up for the loss of federal funds, nor do they provide jobs or housing suitable for most inner city residents. Nothing, however, has hurt the inner cities more than drug use. (DM)

Examines historical and contemporary linkages between Black children and social policy. Focuses on: contributions of Black children; the obscurity of Black children in social policy; cultural diversity and policy implementation; and prospects for the future. (RJC)

Reviews the dismal state of Mali's educational system: extreme poverty, 95 percent adult illiteracy, low school enrollment rates, inefficiency, poor quality and inappropriate curricula at all educational levels, exclusive use of French, and top-heavy higher education that burdens the state and produces unemployed graduates. (SV)