The fourth in a series of modules--Expanded Programs of Consumer Education--this material is designed to help the poor make better use of their income and to stimulate those of high income to a greater understanding of the problems of their fellow-citizens. The modules are prepared for high school students as separate publications to provide…

Chapter 1 was the federal government's first large-scale school aid program attempting to break the "cycle of poverty." The program's effectiveness--especially the formula for funding disbursement--is questioned. Congressional hearings in 1987 are expected to examine the program and consider the most effective means to provide poor…

In rural Mexico, the Progresa program provided educational grants to poor mothers of children enrolled in grades 3-9 and attending 85 percent of the school days. Payments were increased at the higher grades, a premium was paid for girls enrolled in grades 7-9, and every 6 months the grants were adjusted upward to compensate for inflation. The…

The highlights of this statistical update include a new profile of the extremely poor, poor, and near poor population of young children; the use of an alternative measure of young child poverty that provides new insights into the impact of programs and policies on the economic well-being of young children; and a brief examination of why the…

This book, a collection of articles and papers, reviews techniques and tools that can be used to evaluate the poverty and distributional impact of economic policy choices. Following are its contents: "Evaluating the Poverty and Distributional Impact of Economic Policies: A Compendium of Existing Techniques" (Francois Bourguignon and Luiz A.…

This booklet discusses how to improve girls' education drawing on lessons from experience and proposing action for the future. In spite of significant international mobilization in favor of women and their rights to education, much remains to be done. While girls' enrollment has increased, gender inequalities persist at all levels of education,…

The Connecticut Jobs First welfare reform initiative, implemented statewide in 1996, includes a 21-month time limit on cash assistance, generous financial work incentives, and other features. Its primary goal is to reduce welfare use and increase self-sufficiency through work. To facilitate evaluation of the program, between January 1996 and…

Reviews the status of the continuing debate on the concept of "basic needs" in development policy for the world's poorest countries, reprinted from a World Bank report. Discusses "core" basic needs (food and nutrition, drinking water, basic health, shelter, and basic education) and possible operational policies. (MF)

The paper specifies mathematically the demand and supply functions for interacting factor markets to characterize the impact of alternative antipoverty programs. Wage subsidies were found to be the most transfer-efficient, implying that education and training is the most cost-effective means of aiding the low-skilled. (MF)

Identifies the major themes that have emerged in this special issue on child welfare in Canada, and presents a critique of the policies and practices now dominating the Canadian child welfare enterprise. Outlines the changes required to move child welfare from its residual stance into an enterprise that develops a capacity for innovative practice.…

Presents the results of a national study examining effectiveness of employment- and education-focused welfare-to-work programs. Considers the implications for community colleges, particularly training for quick employment versus stable jobs that pay a living wage. Concludes that, compared with other institutions, community colleges have the most…

Reports that since the passage of the Welfare Reform Act in 1996, community colleges have invested time and money to create programs that ensure the successful transition of welfare recipients to self-sufficient workers. Cites recent resources on the efforts of educators to improve the status of welfare recipients, particularly in the two-year…

The argument presented is that although work is one path toward improved well-being for poor families, a successful and humane social welfare policy must recognize and respond to its limitations. This article reviews specific propositions of prowork rhetoric and concludes that former welfare participants require a broad range of supports to move…

This report provides statistical information about young children and their families living in poverty. It includes the following data: (1) from 1987 to 1992, the number of poor children under age 6 rose from 5 to 6 million; (2) from 1972 through 1992, the poverty rates have increased dramatically for children under age 6; (3) in 1992, 55 percent…

There is an increasing tendency on the part of international development players to redefine their relationships as "partnerships." This paper explores the concept of development partnerships, particularly those formed for the benefit of children. A discussion of the differences in the context, form and substance of the discourses and settings in…