Reviews a Census Bureau report by Sandra Rowland that was written to describe the importance of intermediaries in providing census data to the general public and to specialized researchers. Intermediaries described include the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), federal depository libraries, state data centers, and private vendors, as well as…

Counters the popular misconception that poverty is linked to adolescent values that result in pregnancy and irresponsibility. Suggests the following research agenda: (1) reinterpretation of census data; (2) a focus on individual decision-making and systemic forces; (3) dissemination of data; and (4) investigation of father's role. (FMW)

Reviews how census data are used every day to make decisions in businesses, government agencies, and community organizations. Identifies key tools used in demographic analysis, suggesting applications of demographic data at a local level. Concludes with ideas for student activities, including guidelines for creating a community profile. (LS)

Describes a research project designed to examine the social origins, demographic characteristics, and labor market experiences of U.S. teachers from 1860 to 1940 using U.S. census data. Stresses that data which is national in scope and covers a lengthy time period helps generalization. (KO)

Trends over the last decade show an increase in the average age of farmers and a steady decline in the number of young people entering farming. These trends will have adverse effects on rural economies and communities. It is unlikely that current government programs can reverse trends toward large corporate farms. (KS)

Presents bibliographic references for juveniles on multicultural books involving historical atlases, annotated bibliographies, encyclopedic guides, and dictionaries on various diverse cultures. Books were published from 1992 through 1994. (GLR)

During the 1980s, the number of home speakers of non-English languages (HSNEL) increased much more than monolinqual English speakers. School-age HSNEL are a growing proportion of the total school-age population. Advocates for language minorities should inform themselves on the meaning, limitations, and implications of available information.…

Discussion of electronic versions of maps focuses on TIGER files (i.e., electronic maps distributed by the U.S. Bureau of the Census) and their manipulation using geographic information system (GIS) technology. Topics addressed include applications of GIS software, projects to improve access to TIGER files, and the role of GIS in libraries. (MES)

Uses census data, 1886-1900, to examine Northern Cheyenne child-spacing and effective fertility patterns as indicators of maternal and infant health. Concludes that, contrary to early interpretations of improved health among reservation populations, the Northern Cheyenne suffered health deterioration related to oppressive government political and…

Issues demographic experts face concerning voting rights litigation are considered, using examples from Garza v County of Los Angeles (California) (1990). Errors and the age of census figures when released mean that court decisions about appropriate population bases and thresholds will continue to vary from one location to another. (SLD)

Advocates of the use of ecological regression as an indicator of ethnic voting behavior have not demonstrated its validity. The neighborhood model, which assumes that within each precinct Hispanic Americans and non-Hispanic Americans vote alike, is supported as a better way to draw conclusions about voting behavior. (SLD)

Estimates the returns to schooling in Brazil in 1980, by fitting earnings functions to census microdata. The average private rate of return has fallen by about one-third from 1970 but still remains a respectable 12 to 13 percent. When schooling levels are disaggregated, the lowest private rates emerge for primary education, and the highest for…

Describes a project developed for fifth graders that was designed to teach them about databases through collecting information for a community census. Activities supported by the census project are listed, including both noncomputer activities and computer activities; and an effective sequence of instruction with databases is discussed. (LRW)

Census data and California school data on Latino ethnicity and language illustrate how two bilingual-education constructs, "non-English language background" and "limited-English proficient," are useful but have loosened the traditional ethnicity-language relationship, affecting research and educational policy. New census…

Reviews the literature and analyzes 1980 census data to study English language fluency and earnings among Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Soviet Jews have a difficult initial adjustment, but, after five years in the United States, they achieve parity with other European immigrants in English and earnings. (SLD)