Describes organizational conditions and social processes related to family-school interactions that are necessary to promote school-linked social service systems. Case studies of two elementary schools with students of low socioeconomic status are used to compare school policies and procedures. Policy proposals are presented for expanding and…

Examines the present turmoil in disadvantaged communities, arguing that many urban problems result from historic mistreatment of slum dwellers, especially non-whites. Disproportionate representation of young African-American males in prison and the justice system does not occur by chance. As unequal access to opportunity continues, the underclass…

Describes 17 family education programs considered innovative and promising. The programs selected target low-income families with children between three and eight and are linked with public schools. All of them work with parents to enhance children's cognitive development and academic achievement. Summarizes methods used in recruitment, staffing,…

Addresses world hunger issues and the increasing world population. Sees continued imbalance between supply and demand. Points out Europe and the United States are dealing with surplus production, whereas developing nations continue to import needed food. Argues solving hunger problems requires eliminating poverty through development programs.…

Analyzes data from the 1990 General Social Survey for 1,150 Whites and 159 African Americans to determine public opinion toward race-targeted versus income-targeted opportunity-enhancing policies and toward race-targeted versus income-targeted equal outcomes policies. Results show the influence of group self-interest and perceived discrimination…

Provides a historical analysis of how demographic changes in American family life from the mid-1880s to the present have shaped the demand for programs to complement the efforts of families in educating and caring for their children. The author notes a second child care revolution currently taking place and argues for public funding for early…

Provides a starting place for teachers to learn more about the needs of homeless children, and to incorporate this information into lesson plans. A list of instructional activities and projects gives students, teachers, and parents a compassionate perspective. Includes a list of resources on homelessness and housing around the world. (MJP)

Articulates the ideological and social relationships reinforced by the spatial design of urban children's schools in the early 19th century. Describes the purpose and function of the four types of schools: Sunday, monitorial, infant, and workhouse. Includes numerous illustrations from a variety of sources. (MJP)

Provides an example of how one teacher in Prague learned her craft from her pupils and their community, resulting in a successful teaching style that is in direct contrast to general policy and practice in Czech education. Why this style is effective in light of the social, linguistic, and multicultural issues surrounding education of Romany…

Predictors of parental school involvement were examined within a sample of 159 economically disadvantaged, African American parents living in an urban setting. School involvement was defined in terms of parent activity within the school. Parent demographics, attitudes about education, and community engagement behaviors as well as parent…

Unlike school-aged youth attending well-resourced suburban schools, working-class poor students attending inner-city public schools are oftentimes denied the opportunity to develop a sense of agency within their schools and communities. In this article, the author addresses one way that educators and researchers can encourage young people to…

Those who are most marginalized, both culturally and economically, in society are concentrated in the nation's largest urban centers and have the least opportunities to be successful in school science or to pursue higher education and career trajectories in science, mathematics, or engineering. This article shares the results of a study in which…

This chapter reviews the research on school composition and peer effects from three comparative perspectives--Catholic and public schools, single-sex and coeducational schools, and small and large schools. Most of the research is sociological, focuses on high schools, and draws on national samples. The chapter seeks to discern cumulative trends in…

Policymakers have long been concerned about the disparities in college attendance between more and less advantaged groups of students. Upward Bound is one of the largest and longest running federal programs designed to help economically disadvantaged students prepare for, enter and succeed in college. Since December 1991, Mathematica Policy…

California continues to widen access to local child care and preschool programs--albeit in fits and starts--for a variety of families. About 65% of all four year-olds statewide now attend a preschool center. Government spends $3.6 billion on early care and education programs statewide, including a three-fold increase in state spending since 1996.…