These papers examine computer technology use in urban schools. "E-Rate Takes Hold, but Slowly" (Donna Harrington-Lueker) charts the progress of four urban school systems using E-rate funds to build powerful communication networks. "A Chicago Front-Runner Bypasses the Internet" (Alexander Russo) describes one school's commitment…

The Connecticut Jobs First welfare reform initiative, implemented statewide in 1996, includes a 21-month time limit on cash assistance, generous financial work incentives, and other features. Its primary goal is to reduce welfare use and increase self-sufficiency through work. To facilitate evaluation of the program, between January 1996 and…

In recent years, social programs for the poor have lost the support of the American public. This book describes some of the very best programs and documents their benefits, demonstrating that we can, in fact, make substantial progress in the fight against educational failure, family dissolution, violent crime, substance abuse, unemployment, and…

The past several years have seen basic changes in policies and programs concerning poverty, work, and workforce development. The essence of the changes is putting work first, and many states and localities are building "Work First" into welfare-to-work programs funded under Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, and many are adopting…

Girard College was founded and endowed by Stephen Girard, mariner and merchant, a native of France, who came to Philadelphia in 1776. After a long life of service to his adopted city, State, and country, he died in 1831, leaving the bulk of his estate in trust to the city of Philadelphia for the erection and maintenance of what is now known as…

Kingston, capital of Jamaica, has been molded by three institutions: colonialism, the sugar plantation, and slavery. It has an enormous marginal population living in permanent poverty and not absorbable into the labor force. This marginality, fundamentally related to dependent capitalism, sustains itself by keeping wages low. (CS)

The purposes of this article are to heighten sensitivity to the needs of poor minority parents with exceptional children, to encourage the use of due process and equal protection in school programing, and to diminish the vast involvement of the courts in parent-school conflicts. (SK)

The human costs of the arms race are outlined, including how children die from preventable malnutrition and disease while the world spends $600 billion annually on arms. The author supports attending to the needs of children and the poor through action for peace. (MD)

Deals with some of the unique aspects of rural practice in child welfare, such as the interface between juvenile justice agencies and child welfare programs, poverty, and the changing roles (especially economic) of rural women. Demonstrates urban-type programs are often not appropriate in dealing with rural problems. (Author)

Describes how economic and social forces are leading to changes within the urban family. Holds that schooling has not kept pace with changes in technology and employment opportunities. (Author/GC)

The paper specifies mathematically the demand and supply functions for interacting factor markets to characterize the impact of alternative antipoverty programs. Wage subsidies were found to be the most transfer-efficient, implying that education and training is the most cost-effective means of aiding the low-skilled. (MF)

Examines two adolescents' narratives collected when evaluating a multicultural arts festival held at a middle school located in an isolated, economically depressed, Christian fundamentalist, rural southern community. Students' complaints about teachers' racist, uncaring behavior represent not a cynical, negative derision of schools, but a…

To serve poor youngsters and their families, South Bay Union School District developed its own preschool campus, the VIP (Very Important Preschoolers) Village. The program depends on strong administrative support, planned staff development, parent involvement, parent education programs, community partnerships, curriculum/assessment alignment, and…

Current Population Survey data indicate that rural workers were more likely than urban workers to be poor or near-poor. Poor and near-poor rural workers were more likely than other workers to be southern, young, and in a minority group. Barriers to livable-wage employment included low educational attainment, being a single mother, and having young…

Uses data from the Second Malaysian Family Life Survey to examine effects of mother's divorce/separation or widowhood on Malaysian adolescents' school participation. Children (ages 15-19) of divorced or separated (but not widowed) mothers were at greater risk of leaving school than those in other family situations, regardless of individual…