This report examines the financial needs of Arkansas families, and establishes, using conservative economic assumptions, an annual Family Income Standard (FIS) for the state and each of its counties. The FIS is a new tool to be used by citizens, state and local policy makers, civic organizations, non-profits, and parents as they look to improve…

This second annual report on the condition of U.S. cities outlines the challenges for cities if the United States is to reach its full potential in the 21st century. Data from many sources reveal three major findings: (1) cities are fiscally and economically the strongest they have been in a decade; (2) cities still face the triple threat of…

In Plains Indian tradition, a warrior gained honor and glory by "counting coup," touching his enemy in battle and living to tell the tale. This is a modern story of counting coup that follows a talented young woman named Sharon LaForge, a gifted basketball player and a descendant of one of George Armstrong Custer's Indian scouts.…

Critics of bilingual education have cited the high Hispanic dropout rate as evidence against bilingual education. Since most bilingual education programs are Spanish-English, it is concluded that bilingual education must be responsible. Research shows some factors predicting dropout rates, including low English language ability, poverty, length of…

This study was a follow-up to one that gathered baseline data on aspects of Grade 1 as part of the on-going Statewide Texas Educational Progress Study (STEPS). While the Grade 1 study was limited to teachers' perceptions of student performance, this follow-up focused on factors most related to actual end-of-year student status. The purposes of the…

This book offers specific information on the wide range of federal prevention, emergency shelter, and family service programs available today that provide children and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with financial support, education, job training, nutritional services, and crisis funding. The chapters are: (1)…

Meatpacking communities in America's Midwest have become home to thousands of impoverished immigrant workers from Mexico, Central America, and Laos, recruited to work in poor and dangerous working conditions for low wages and no benefits. Suggests that public policy needs to address protecting and improving the situation of immigrant workers. (LP)

Sharply criticizes current free market practices especially in light of the globalization of capitalism. Maintains that a laissez-faire approach to the allocation of resources and consumer choices is no longer relevant in a world defined by an increasing disparity between rich and poor. (MJP)

Investigates boundaries between normal and abnormal psychological profiles among adolescents, particularly on instruments widely used in psychology research and clinical/educational practice. Participants were 117 students from a large, urban city in an outgoing intervention program, with adolescents who were at risk of dropping out of school…

Funded in part by a two-year grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Greene County Family Center in southwest Pennsylvania allows clients to meet with representatives from county human services agencies and offers many services including Head Start, crisis intervention, tutoring programs, adult education programs, and other services to…

Examines the nature of the crisis in child welfare, and how poverty and an array of social problems, as well as problems specific to the child welfare system, increased the overrepresentation of African American children and families in the out-of-home care system. Also discusses implications for child welfare practice and advocacy. (MOK)

Investigates the informal curriculum of a state-funded after-school dropout prevention program for adolescents. The program's goal is to resocialize them into their schools and enable them to achieve academic success. The paper proposes that the program fails to achieve its goal because of its ideology, and it recommends an alternative perspective…

Describes a simple in-class exercise that reveals some flaws in capitalist, individualistic-oriented ideology by following specific assumptions to their logical conclusion. Poses the question, if drive and ambition are sole determinants of success could society accommodate a population where everyone possessed those qualities? (MJP)

The retired Procter & Gamble corporate leader and member of the Committee for Economic Development (CED) discusses the crisis in the American education system and his efforts for reform. Subjects covered include implications for business and the nation, business and federal reform initiatives, and the mandate for community-wide involvement.…

Gifted children and youth must be sensitized to the major problems faced by world societies, including poverty, famine, nuclear annihilation, and quality of life. Education for peace, attention to the moral and ethical dimensions of school subjects, futures education, problem-solving, and networking with gifted children in other nations are…