Assesses the progress of equality since Brown v Topeka Board of Education and argues that there still has not been a full implementation of that Supreme Court decree. School integration is shown to be declining. It is recommended that The court could merge the equality standards of Plessy v Ferguson with Brown to provide quality education. (GR)

A framework for understanding child maltreatment in terms of complex and interacting factors from the individual to the societal level can aid in conceptualizing and implementing prevention efforts. Research can indicate the roles that each individual, agency, organization, community, and level of government can play in improving the welfare of…

Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Labor Market Experience Youth Cohort demonstrate that a greater percentage of teenage fathers come from poor and unstable households where household members are less educated. For whites, being a father is associated with low self-esteem, but this is not true for blacks. (SLD)

A study developed and validated the Penn Interactive Peer Play Scale (PIPPS), a teacher-rating instrument of the interactive play behaviors of preschool children. Thirty-eight teachers completed the measure on 312 African American children enrolled in Head Start. Exploratory factor analysis revealed three reliable underlying dimensions: play…

Asserts that community service-learning holds the potential to enhance the sociology curriculum. Contends that the programs are not implemented easily and difficulties arise trying to integrate academic content with the community experience. Describes a community service-learning course, discusses typical problems, and suggests solutions. (CFR)

Analyzes demographic and socioeconomic trends of rural areas and discusses the role of public libraries in providing access to the information highway via telecommunications. Topics include the importance of access to information for successful economic development, agricultural dependency, poverty, retirement destination areas, and proximity to…

Analyzes the impact of employment context and family structure on Mexican American families' health insurance status. Found that, of the groups studied, Mexican Americans are least likely to have either overall coverage or coverage from an employer. An extended family increased the odds of having no one insured in the family. (RJM)

In response to a 1988 report urging better integration of minorities (one-third of the U.S. population) into education and American life, this article argues that rather than focusing on race, a more effective approach would be to target the segment of the population that is poor. Lessons learned about open access from elementary/secondary…

Using census and administrative agency data for 177 urban census tracts in Cleveland, Ohio, variations in rates of officially reported child maltreatment were found to be related to structural determinants of community social organization. Child maltreatment rates were also found to be intercorrelated with other indicators of breakdown of…

Presents direct and indirect causes of erosion in developing countries. Identifies soil conservation developments ranging from major international policy reforms to small-scale, local farming programs. Suggests that strategies at all levels, and the political will to implement them, are needed if erosion is to be reduced to a sustainable rate. (23…

International adoption is discussed, with particular emphasis on adoption by Americans and Europeans of Ecuadoran children and on illegal adoption operations. (BC)

Analyzes two new state funding programs for low-wealth and small-enrollment schools in North Carolina, compared with funding distribution provided under the already existing Basic Education Program. The distribution of low-wealth funds among counties is erratic, and the small-school funding program benefits some small-enrollment counties with…

A discussion of the need for better research on women's health looks at significant gender differences that are factors in health and health education (longevity, poverty, use of medical services, doctor-patient interaction, and women in dentistry) as well aspects of research methodology that need improvement. (MSE)

Unsatisfactory results from 1980s reforms stressing equalized funding, higher standards, and testing have prompted educators to reinvestigate inequality-producing mechanisms and consider program equity and adequacy. However, the problem is not solely within schools. Output goals must be tied to explicit programs and standards to raise up the…

Examines the problem of residential segregation and demonstrates that it is a problem of social structure. The author contends that residential segregation has affirmed the continued subordination of blacks in American society over the past 50 years. New leadership in the Department of Housing and Urban Development is viewed as a positive…