Examines the relationship between violence exposure and experimentation with cigarettes and alcohol, intentions to use cigarettes and alcohol, health locus of control, and health values. Responses from 110 inner-city children and adolescents ages 10 to 13 years show cigarette use positively associated with violence. Control scales were negatively…

Reports on two studies comparing learned resourcefulness among 238 black and white South African college students. Finds that black students score higher on learned resourcefulness in both studies. Discusses possible explanations. (CFR)

Project Step-Up, a federally funded program which serves primary-level potentially gifted and talented children who are economically disadvantaged, bilingual, or have special needs, developed methods to involve parents in their child's educational growth and development. Methods include parent education seminars, home-based activities, and a…

This article examines findings from a project to create and implement a model to assess exceptional potential in primary-level students. The article discusses the project's impact on the first cohort of 33 classroom teachers' attitudes and behaviors toward the identification of and programming for young minority and/or economically disadvantaged…

This fantasy looks back from 1999 to chronicle the imagined scenario of welfare reform in the presidency of Forrest Gump (and the vice-presidency of William Bennett). The decline in government assistance is matched by an increase in private sources of aid and a heightened sense of personal responsibility among Americans. (SLD)

Reviews and critically analyzes the book, "The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life." The author discusses cultural bias in intelligence tests, the errors made in assessing the cognitive abilities of blacks, and the negative effects stemming from belonging to the underclass in American society. (GR)

Although urban public school educators are not achieving optimal results, there is no evidence that for-profit educational companies will do any better or possess special expertise in educating poor students of color. Education Alternatives, Inc. has trouble retaining low-paid nonunion paraprofessionals and has cut out minority contractors. The…

Presents the keynote speech given to the National Urban League Convention in July 1994. The speech charts the course of the Urban League through the remainder of the century. The author suggests three priorities: educating and developing inner city children, helping their families become economically self-sufficient, and encouraging racial…

Examines perceptions of economically disadvantaged youth toward their futures and toward their mentors in a mentoring program. Findings for 27 10th graders demonstrate that those who view mentors as role models outperform their peers. Role modeling makes a difference in student achievement motivation. (SLD)

Provides some historical insights into the developing plight of today's modern U.S. cities and how urban policies over the years have exacerbated a downward trend in city quality. The author argues that a lack of government attention and lack of sound urban policy development has created today's primary crisis, urban violence. (GR)

Discusses the political conditions that have caused the federal government's waning interest in developing constructive urban policies, particularly since the 1994 elections. The author suggests four steps needed to be taken by urban advocates who wish to advance the cause of large cities and help strengthen the nation's metropolitan regions. (GR)

Examines the advantage to urban education of school-to-work transition programs. A vision is presented for a work-centered education that takes full advantage of the best characteristics of cities and clarifies how this approach addresses some of the serious problems facing urban schools. The author indicates how these programs can invigorate…

The Parent Perception Inventory (PPI), used to measure children's perceptions of parental behavior, was administered to children in 12 physically abusive families, 15 child problem behavior families, and 16 nondistressed families. All families were single parent, mother-headed, and impoverished. Data from the present sample were compared with data…

Examines the problem of teen pregnancy and parenthood from the perspectives of the economic, educational, health, and social problems it brings. The paper describes the scope of this problem, the individual characteristics of women at risk for teenage pregnancy, and its consequences to both the women and society. Possible incentives for young…

Examines family policy from an international vantage point outside the particular context of United States family policy and reveals how women involved in parenting and a career, and their children, fare in the international economic arena. The pros and cons of the state serving as a support system are illustrated. (GR)