This study by the National Advisory Council on Economic Opportunity show that, in the past decade, some groups have fared much better economically than others. First, the age distribution of those officially termed poor has shifted. Second, the reduction of overall poverty levels has been accompanied by increased sexual and racial inequality.…

A conceptual model describing the environmental factors and parent and child characteristics that contribute to the development of conduct disorder in early childhood is proposed. Environmental stressors associated with poverty, poor parenting strategies, and child deficits in communication skills are posited to be negative factors that affect…

Describes findings from a national research study about public library service to homeless children. Describes six exemplary library programs targeting homeless children and discusses characteristics and needs of young homeless children and their parents. Eight tables present statistics; the survey instrument is appended. (AEF)

Describes a longitudinal observation of Chicago school reform by a research team, and chronicles a method for tracking the implications of school reform over time. The study concludes that Chicago school reform gained strength because it originated as a broad-based social movement that spread ownership among many groups and defined reform as an…

Presents taxonomy of hostility toward street children: (1) penal-instructive hostility based on punishing children for inappropriate behavior; (2) collective frustrated hostility based on ethnocentric social class attitudes toward the poor; and (3) cultural hostility, accounted for by differences attributed to sedentary and nomadic peripatetic…

Reviews six federally funded in-kind public assistance programs designed to mitigate effects of poverty on children: (1) food stamps; (2) the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children; (3) school nutrition programs; (4) Medicaid; (5) Head Start; and (6) housing assistance. Evidence indicates these programs achieve their…

The University of Louisville (Kentucky) Housing and Neighborhood Development Strategies (HANDS) is a multifaceted program using the university's resources to address the problems of an impoverished urban neighborhood. One component, the Community Design Team, is composed of graduate students and provides technical assistance such as conceptual…

The author arrived at the Delta Principals Institute with low expectations and the same obstacles facing other principals from poverty-stricken areas: poor student achievement, staff apathy, lack of parental support, superannuated curricula, and poor community support. There he learned how to overcome these obstacles by using a more participative…

Case studies of northeast Brazil and northeast Thailand highlight the importance of a subnational approach to comparative research. Compares geographic and economic conditions, regional culture, ethnicity and gender issues, migration patterns, religion, literacy, and educational underdevelopment. Points out that neglect of a region and its people…

L. Goldberg, T. W. Schultz, and M. Piel comment on proposed funding strategies for an allowance for child care for poor families, the creation of a parental leave policy to ensure infant care, and a plan to link public schooling and child care. The commentaries suggest proposal refinements or alternatives. (SLD)

The authors of proposals for a child care allowance for poor families, a parental leave program to ensure infant care, and a linkage of child care and public education systems respond to comments by three reviewers. The commentaries illustrate the diversity of perspectives on child care and the public sector. (SLD)

Discusses decentralization as a key concern in educational planning and management in Malawi. Outlines key dimensions to decentralization: work culture, accountability, accurate and well disseminated information, provision of levels of resources, and sustainability. Concludes that two overarching issues have emerged from this study: (1) policy…

Analyzed national data (the Schools and Staffing Survey of the National Center for Education Statistics) on teachers' entrance examination scores and college selectivity. Findings show substantial disparities by school poverty level and draw attention to the gap in academic skills among teachers in different settings. (SLD)

Evaluates educational and occupational variables in a target population of youth in four Latin American countries. Argues that poor youth miss the formal education necessary for entry into the labor market. Questions whether training systems compensate for this limitation and whether these training courses connect with the labor market. (CAJ)

Examined whether mothers who were at or below the poverty level, members of a minority group, single parents, or who possessed low educational levels can be considered "strong" effective parents. Found that at-risk parents can be and often are effective parents; effective parenting practices and a positive home environment may help ameliorate…