Examines the participation of Blacks, Anglos, and Mexican Americans in adult basic education programs in Texas in terms of two opposing views which attribute poverty to the debilitating cultural characteristics of the poor or to the powerless position of the poor in an exploitative social structure. (Author/MK)

In 1976, the Columbian Government set up PAN to combat the country's serious malnutrition through coordination of the public and private production, distribution, health, sanitation, and education sectors. After describing PAN, this report considers its problems and approaches relating to nutrition education for both PAN professionals and its…

Illiteracy, racism, and poverty are clearly interrelated, with perhaps even some elements of cause and effect. But education is not the only factor, according to the author. He notes that it is necessary to approach each cultural group through its own sociocultural and educative mechanisms. (MF)

In this study, information on race, poverty, and socioeconomic variables was analyzed to examine underlying relationships. A strong association of Blacks with poverty in suburban areas was found. The research supports the position that suburbanization of Blacks has not changed the intrametropolitan distribution of minority economic welfare.…

Using 18 indicators of various aspects of urban life, this study analyzes the effects of size and growth on 115 American cities. (Author/RLV)

Focuses on three income support programs: unemployment insurance, public assistance, and food stamps, and examines the extent to which low income groups, particularly blacks, participated in these programs, the factors responsible for the nonparticipation of many poor, and the adequacy of support provided to participants in these programs.…

Eric Hanushek's conclusion that money does not matter in public education is debatable. His latest meta-analysis reviews many articles from economics journals, while omitting several published in education journals. He finds no relationship between test results and spending, yet labels schools inefficient. In other research, the Annie Casey…

The LACE (Local Authority Current Expenditure) report on comparable local education expenditure in Scotland, England, and Wales, 1993-95, found that Scottish expenditure was 23% higher than in England, largely from the higher incidence of local authority-educated children in Scotland. However, the LACE report excludes several important variables…

Presents results of a study using national survey data that indicates that maternal employment in families that had previously received welfare does not hurt children's social or cognitive development and may improve their situations. Outcomes were better for those whose mothers earned higher wages. (SLD)

Suggests four criteria (efficiency, return on investment, incentives, and equity) for evaluating and comparing public programs for poor children, and provides an overview of information available on eight large federal programs using these criteria. Positive effects of some programs are noted, and policy recommendations the evidence supports are…

Using specific examples, describes key features of current comprehensive community initiatives to improve the lives of children and considers the limitations of efforts to evaluate them and factors contributing to their success or failure. Comprehensive community initiatives use multifaceted approaches to strengthen communities and improve the…

Educational systems in the Lao People's Democratic Republic are experiencing many problems, including inadequate facilities and equipment, a teacher shortage, a high dropout rate, unequal access for minorities, and precarious financing. Innovative projects sponsored by Ecoles Sans Frontieres, Japan Sotoshu Relief Committee, UNICEF, the Save the…

This study examined the impact of child maltreatment and age on 76 school children living in poverty. Both maltreated and nonmaltreated children exhibited maladaptive motivational orientation toward academic work, suggesting that threats to scholastic functioning reside more within the ecology of poverty than in maltreatment. Age differences were…

Research on working poor families participating in an anti-poverty initiative in Milwaukee found 60% of families had at least one child with significant problems (learning, school achievement and/or behavior, retardation, or other disabilities). Comparison with other families with children with troubles found the program families adapted less…

Discusses the role and challenges faced by the Catholic Church in the delivery of health care services. Crucial to the discussion is service to the poor and vulnerable, in spite of budgetary constraints. Commitment to the most vulnerable also shapes the Church's advocacy efforts. Discusses the Catholic role in reproductive services. (Contains…