The Indian Children's Parliament (Rajastan, India) emerged from the Social Work and Research Centre (later known as the Barefoot College), which provides academic and vocational classes at night for rural working children. These children contribute to family incomes, but previously their opinions were not acknowledged. Students elect 17 Parliament…

Explores the reasons rural women have become elementary school teachers in the state of Oaxaca (Mexico), and examines how recent economic changes may be changing the female population that wants to become teachers to an even poorer segment of society. Ethnographic research was conducted with 35 Oaxacan teachers or teacher candidates. (SLD)

Tested a model linking family financial resources to adjustment among African American 6- to 9-year olds with single, rural, Southern mothers. Found that inadequate financial resources related to mothers' depression and low self-esteem. Self-esteem was linked with family routines and mother-child relationship quality. Child self-regulation…

Examines the microeconomics of Mexican American households in Tucson (Arizona) and Los Angeles (California), exploring factors affecting household organization and the dynamics of Mexican American households as part of a larger cluster. Case studies of four households support the discussion. Causes of conflict and family interests and objectives…

Investigated interactions among 18 African American mother-infant pairs participating in an early intervention program for infants with developmental delays or at risk for developmental disabilities. The hypothesis that mothers would become less responsive to infants over time as a function of drug addiction, poverty, or serious developmental…

Deliberations about social policy often center on estimates of harm or benefit generated by different interest groups. Problems in what is measured and how it is measured are illustrated by a discussion of research into sexual abuse and rape. Advocacy research is an unreliable foundation for social policy formation. (SLD)

Reports on the qualitative findings extracted from a study of over 3,700 teenagers from urban, suburban, and small city settings, describing the array of difficulties teenagers face today. The themes that emerged from the students' comments offer a compelling portrait of life as a teenager in the 1990s and help shape an agenda for understanding…

Definitions of "education" and "rural" are debunked and expanded. The three major tasks of rural education are educating people to understand their own needs, the unavoidable changes that will transform rural Australia within their lifetimes, and the range of technologies that can enhance their well-being. Presents a strategy…

This special section outlines recent trends, including U.S. population projections (highlighting growth in aging and minority groups), public opinion about schools and school choice, accountability concerns, achievement scores, technology access, early childhood issues, and state and regional statistics on finance, school characteristics, and…

Offers information on welfare-to-work programs at community colleges. Suggests that all community colleges, including those without such programs, can use existing research to maximize the commitment to further educational opportunities for disadvantaged individuals. (Contains 16 references.) (AUTH/NB)

Describes the Milwaukee Teacher Education Center (MTEC), a new system of alternative preservice and inservice teacher education which meets the needs of the Milwaukee Public Schools and prepares teachers to succeed with children in poverty within an urban school district. The paper discusses what works in preparing urban teachers and explains how…

Describes the "Jump Start" program, developed with Library Services and Technology Act funds and designed to provide more pre-school services to children in a poor community in Chicago. Discusses the project plan; workshops for area child care providers and future workers in the field; collection development; outreach to educational institutions;…

In this article, I present the findings of a single-site case study which examined the role of gender in constituent group perceptions of effective female leadership. First, a brief description of the Wildrose School community context is presented followed by an overview of relevant literature on female leadership. The emergent themes regarding…

Landsman explores the qualities that enable teachers to effectively work with students who are homeless or live in extreme poverty. The most effective strategy seems to be maintaining high expectations. Successful teachers "cut deals" with students, finding ways to connect school work to students' life concerns and helping them successfully to…

Young children with disabilities are significantly more likely to live in poverty than their peers without disabilities. Exposure to poverty creates additional risk of adverse outcomes for these vulnerable children. In this article, the following key circumstances contributing to this increased risk of impoverishment are analyzed: elevated costs…