New data from SAT scores, the Second International Assessment of Educational Progress, and other sources show that American public education compares favorably with that of other advanced nations, despite mass media hysteria. Performance levels on academic indicators may reflect demographic factors more strongly than educational system quality.…

Initiatives of the Interuniversity Consortium on Poverty Law include the implementation by a group of institutions of innovative projects testing new concepts of scholarship, teaching, and advocacy on behalf of poor or otherwise marginalized persons. The group has demonstrated that legal education can create social change strategies, agents, and…

Reviews seven books that concern some of the tough issues in schools such as violence, racial bias, and poverty. Suggests that school board members who read these books can have a firsthand look into the lives of students, teachers, parents, and school executives. Information on ordering the books is provided. (MLF)

Whereas a controversial new book claims that racial background is a strongly associated with intelligence and achievement in life, the Surrey County (Virginia) Schools are proving that success depends more on expectations. Under Superintendent C.P. Penn's direction, the largely black, rural county has become a state leader in the percentage of…

Examines the following issues raised by recent child care legislation: (1) the status of, and myths about, children in poverty and the historical context of child care policies; (2) the relationships between child care policies and African-American families; and (3) the implications of recent legislation for the future. (JB)

Urges emphasis on the economic and political aspects of geography to help students understand the relevance of geography in contemporary world situations. Presents activities to guide students into a study of developing countries. Focuses on population growth, distribution and movement, options for growing poor populations, and causes of uneven…

Reviews the descriptive empirical literature on homeless women, using a theoretical perspective on stress. Finds that homelessness is highly stressful, and examines the sources and mediators of homelessness. Suggests that more is known about the risk factors than about the mediating factors that may decrease the stressful circumstances' impact.…

Describes the establishment, achievements, and continued success of the Big Shoulders Fund, through which Chicago's business community assists local Catholic innercity schools. Explains how the program provides operating grants, building improvements, scholarships, teacher training programs, mobile classrooms, and endowment funds for schools…

Suggests that the problems of social justice, particularly related to the status of women, are closely associated with worldwide population issues, especially in the developing world. Ties gender bias to poverty, rapid population growth, and environmental degradation in government policy perpetuated cycles. (MCO)

Considers reasons for low primary school attendance rates for children in the Philippines, including low school readiness and high costs. Describes the establishment of eight kindergartens in the Philippines through the World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP) and provides case studies of three children attending OMEP kindergartens.…

Describes Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation (KHIC), a nonprofit community development organization that creates jobs and helps small manufacturing businesses succeed in nine "perpetually poor" rural Kentucky counties. Outlines KHIC services: loans for both expansion and working capital; equity and real estate investments;…

The public and its political leaders seem unwilling to support unconditionally the American creed of equal educational opportunity for all. The proliferation of teen pregnancy, school violence, illegal drugs, homelessness, poverty, suicide, AIDS, and unemployment shows that youngsters' social environment has severely deteriorated since the release…

A new policy study finds that Latinos are the ethnic/racial group with the least amount of education and highest labor force participation. It concludes that more education would decrease Latino poverty. Suggested solutions include equalizing educational attainment, eliminating employment discrimination, making work more rewarding, guaranteeing…

Reviews statistics on youth gangs and gang violence. Discusses the socioeconomic and psychological causes of gangs and gang membership. Describes "Making the Right Connection," a gang prevention program in inner-city Catholic schools in Los Angeles, utilizing a curriculum focusing on self-esteem, personal responsibility, value formation,…

Historical data, projections of selected populations, particularly poor and Hispanic groups, and educational issues arising from the trends are examined as they relate to educational finance in the future. New educational financing options are suggested to augment current government-sponsored student aid to respond better to emerging societal…