The movement to reform the Chicago (Illinois) public schools faces a host of problems in the classroom and a sea of social ills outside the classroom. Without support from the African American community and largely cut off from the reform process, neither significant progress nor progressive change can be made. (SLD)

Suggests that public school education in the last 50 years has been altered most dramatically by the interstate highway system and no-fault divorce. Blames the highway system for destroying the sense of community and capacity for delayed gratification and challenge. Argues that no-fault divorce has resulted in loss of family values and…

Provides relevant annotated resources and suggests class activities centered around the theme of communities, including animal communities, historic communities, and aiding contemporary communities. Describes Web sites, CD-ROMs, computer software, videos, and books; specifies age levels and appropriate curriculum areas. (LRW)

Research has shown that no treatment program designed for street children can succeed unless the community is prepared to respect, protect, and provide opportunities for them. Investigates why the general public, and those charged with enforcing the law, often treat street children with scorn and hostility. (Author/GCP)

Many at-risk students face myriad problems that are pervasive, multifaceted, and socio-historical. These problems sometimes lead them to anger, frustration, hate, hostility, and rage. In the educational system, these problems frequently lead to stigmatization as well as misidentification, mislabeling, misplacement, and misinstruction. Ironically,…

In the past decade, schools nationwide have been caught up in a whirlwind of change. No Child Left Behind is the law of the land. Every state in the nation is wrestling with academic standards and school funding. In this article, the authors outline three areas regarding public engagement that are worrisome: (1) Parents may not be ready for…

This paper reports on the progress of eight Chicago-based community initiatives designed to redefine social services and broaden social responsibility for the development of children and families. The paper has three sections describing: (1) general background on the children, youth, and families initiative; (2) early lessons from an initiative in…

This document discusses issues relevant to child care in Boston and in five chapters and extensive appendices, offers recommendations to strengthen the city's child care system. Chapter 1 describes background issues relevant to child care, draws a portrait of Boston families, and offers recommendations for expanding child care resources. Chapter 2…

This handbook was created to serve as a guide for all programs. It describes mentor roles, responsibilities, and successful individuals engaged in one-to-one relationships in mentoring programs. It describes mentor roles, responsibilities, and successful strategies and techniques designed to assist mentors in their work as role models and trusted…

This book presents policy recommendations for ensuring the success of American citizens in the areas of welfare prevention, school dropouts, teenage pregnancy, adult literacy, and alcohol and drug abuse. Welfare prevention strategies involve reduction of welfare dependency and targeting of resources and programs that reduce the need for families…

This planning paper offers background information and recommendations for the establishment of a research center for the study of educating the disadvantaged. It is based on a seminar comprised of educational researchers held to consider how low achieving students can best be helped. The research agenda for such a center should consider the…

The construction of hypotheses concerning blacks in America requires an understanding of two enduring influences on collective black experience: (1) whites' treatment of blacks as slaves and (2) West African culture that helped to shape black adaptation to the conditions engendered by slavery. White racist attitudes and the psychological distance…

Information on causes and warning signs of child sexual abuse, examples of treatment, and prevention resources are presented in this guide which highlights cultural differences in American Indian communities that may influence the occurrence and prevention of child sexual abuse. The guide begins by stating that from the limited statistics…

This article provides an overview of America's urban population based on the 2000 Census and the implications of increasing cultural diversity for urban public schools. It addresses three basic questions: 1. What does America's population look like at the beginning of the 21st century? 2. What challenges do children and their families face in this…

Identification, coordination, and development of community resources for career education projects are discussed in this guidebook. Topics discussed include the following: (1) the role of the community resource coordinator; (2) community resources (available people, materials, and services that are useful and valuable for educational purposes);…