This information packet for those interested in promoting parent and family involvement in their children's schools opens with "A Quick Overview of Some Basic Resources." This section contains lists of 28 selected references, some research syntheses available from the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), and 10 Internet resources…

This paper advocates the development of democratic practices and opportunities for decision-making at an early age. The paper cites numerous examples of how developmentally appropriate opportunities can be presented in the classroom. The paper outlines ideas for students to be more actively involved in making rules, leadership, classroom…

Receipt of welfare is often negatively correlated with children's outcomes. However, because virtually all children who live in households that receive public assistance are poor, the question arises whether poor child outcomes are truly an effect of welfare, have only a spurious relationship to welfare receipt, or are a result of welfare…

Noting the while there may be much support for the principle that families on welfare should have access to 2 years of education and training and then be expected to work, this paper contends that it will be extremely difficult, perhaps impossible, to design a coherent and constructive program within the probable federal budget constraints. In…

This fact sheet presents information about the educare situation in South Africa to illustrate the glaring disparities between the races, until recently officially classified as White, Indian, Colored, and Black. These statistics delineate: (1) the under-6 population by race, geographic, and economic background; (2) costs, fees, and…

This study investigates the interaction of religious and quasi-religious variables through measures of psychopathology and alcohol and drug abuse in a sample of homeless subjects. Participants included 25 males and 14 females with potential dual diagnoses who lacked, or were in danger of being without, appropriate housing. Researchers administered…

Noting that the skills of community-building are some of the same skills needed to help families, this newsletter issue focuses on enhancing the resources and leadership in the community as the best way to provide support for families. The articles in the newsletter include: (1) "Building on the Strengths of Communities"; (2)…

Poverty among Latino children has soared during the past decade, accounting for half of the total growth in the number of American children who are poor. One in three Latino children was living in poverty as of 1989. Many Latino children are poor despite their parents' best efforts to pull their families out of poverty and despite the fact that…

"America 2000," President Bush's national strategy for "Reinventing America's Schools" is evaluated by 30 invited experts in the following papers: "Bottom-up Reform From the Top Down" (John E. Chubb); "Would Choice + Competition Yield Quality Education?" (Richard F. Elmore); "The Federal Education Role…

High risk parenting and child abuse are the consequences of multiple and interactive factors. The occurrence of major life events such as death, divorce, marriage, and pregnancy frequently presents stressors that may ignite an already volatile family situation. This study was conducted to examine the incidence of reported major life events in…

This 60-item annotated bibliography focuses on case management as it relates to welfare, Medicaid, and/or the Family Support Act of 1988. While specific definitions, types of practice, and goals of case management vary greatly, the term here refers to a strategy of coordinating or integrating services for a client or group of clients in the social…

This national survey of 2,299 elderly Hispanic Americans found that a great number face a daily struggle, living on limited incomes and coping with poor health. Problems in later years are the result of immigration patterns, low educational attainment, and limited English proficiency that have resulted in a lifetime of low income, no pension, and…

This report summarizes some of the testimony presented during Congressional hearings in October 1983 to examine the reasons for increased poverty in this country since 1979. Terms used in measuring poverty are defined, and data relating to the amount of poverty that currently exists, who the poor are, and how long they remain in poverty are…

As part of a course entitled "The Politics of Poverty," students at the University of Deleware worked in social work organizations for the poor. Analysis of the program's effectiveness as measured by an opinion survey of participating students is included. (DE)

Although the old social order of racial segregation has collapsed, much remains to be done to reach full equality of the races. This article analyzes economic trends since World War II to compare the standing of black and white Americans. The findings on five basic questions of equality are as follows: (1) there are more blacks in higher level…