Explains how one New Orleans (LA) school is making a positive difference in a low-income community by serving as the community's focal point and providing the community access to a public library, computers, and a learning center. Highlights the development of the Greater New Orleans Education Foundation and its assessment process, designed to…

Studied factors contributing to the academic achievement of nine high-achieving urban female students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Findings demonstrate the importance of a community of achievement created by these students within their school and the importance of parental expectations. (SLD)

Uses a causal model to understand the direct and mediated effects of neighborhood disadvantage and family structure on youth expectations. Demonstrates that the employment expectations of adolescents are significantly lower in both nonintact and welfare homes in comparison to youth in other households. Discusses implications for social policy in…

Discusses the history of welfare reform and the different approaches used in several states. Describes multiple models that have emerged in community colleges, including short-term training programs, open entry/exit programs or alternative entry dates, classes offered at unconventional times, company-specific programs, case-management strategies,…

Presents a case study of the "Coleman family" to examine support for literacy within an economically disadvantaged family, in which the child learned to value literacy and learned how to read very well despite the limited literacy abilities of the mother. Discusses ways teachers might help parents to support literacy growth at home and at school.…

A six-week university library intern program sponsored by the Job Training Partnership Act investigated the impact of 12 economically disadvantaged high school students working at Grambling State University (Louisiana). Interns succeeded, learned skills later described on their resumes and job application letters, and gained self-esteem and job…

Uses national survey data to examine the extent to which group differentials in early nonmarital childbearing are a function of normative differences in fertility intentions. Results indicate that birth intentions do vary by race and ethnicity, poverty status, and family structure. (RJM)

Asserts that John Baptist de La Salle remains a model for Catholic educators because: (1) he was an innovative educator; (2) he nurtured students' spirits as well as their minds; and (3) he made education accessible to everyone, especially the poor. States that these three principles should be the driving force for today's educators. (EMH)

Examines how U.S. societal stratifications have pervaded early childhood care and education and related social programs and policies. Reviews the history of multitiered early childhood programs, focusing on African American education issues, early 20th-century child care, and Head Start's legacy and limitations. Charts future directions for child…

Gunnar Myrdal's "An American Dilemma," revered as a monumental work on race relations, benefited from uncanny historical timing. As it repudiated racism and second-class citizenship, it also stayed within safe political limits for the time. The author never committed to policies that would secure real citizenship for African Americans.…

Describes the results from a family-based case management demonstration program which served families in North Carolina during the period of 1990 to 1993. The model from the program was based on the family investment initiative strategy developed by the George Washington University Center for Policy Studies. Implications of the results for social…

Uses data from current research and two older adult focus groups to develop a conceptual model of exercise self-efficacy and its predictors among older adults. Specifically addresses the issue of low socioeconomic status among older adults and how to improve their health and activity level. (SNR)

Discusses issues in reconceptualizing early childhood care and development ideas that were formulated in western industrialized countries to better fit the cultures of third world countries. Notes the importance of adapting early childhood programs at a conceptual level to ensure their success when implemented with other cultures. (JPB)

Discusses the role of the arts in multicultural education, explaining how diverse students react to and need support in the arts in order to succeed. Focuses on the efforts of urban elementary and secondary schools in Madison, Wisconsin. Also examines the use of mentoring and tutoring to help raise the academic achievement of minority students who…

Staff development leading to significant improvement in student learning is results-driven, standards-based, job-embedded, and focused on teachers' content and instructional skills. The National Staff Development Council's recently adopted code of ethics aims to increase awareness of ethical issues and improve decision-making capabilities…