The definition of geography as the study of man and the realities of his socio-economic milieu is the thesis on which this course in urban geography is based. The functions of the university are observed to be: 1) to ensure economic and cultural continuance; and 2) to advance knowledge and ways of knowing. The first of these functions appears to…

A discussion of the dilemma of desegregation/resegregation requires discussion of the demands of a changing urban society, open housing, efficient mass transit systems, the court rulings which too often have become substitutes for our own decisions and initiatives but which have set out steps in the right direction, and what we can do about it. A…

The goal of this book is to provide parents, teachers, administrators, school board members, and the general public with a systematic and comprehensive view of the condition of urban education in the 1970's. Previously, city educators tended to project the failure of the school on to "bad homes" and other conditions. The authors stress that new…

The general purpose of the twelfth grade course is to help the student assume his role as a decision-maker in a democratic society. The nature and complexity of contemporary problems are examined using this guide to enable the student: 1) to analyze alternative solutions to these problems; 2) to develop attitudes and values appropriate to a…

The discrepancy between a city's financial obligations and its fiscal capacity to meet those obligations with reasonable effort is referred to in this paper as "municipal overburden." The literature concerning the causes and the impact of municipal overburden on school support for essential school services is analyzed. Attempted…

These models are based on the concept that school district decisionmakers seek an optimum balance between education program levels and tax burdens imposed on the community, subject to a budget constraint. A model is derived in which spending depends positively on community income and lump-sum grants and negatively on the relative price of…

The word "underclass" has become popular, but it is nebulously defined. The focus of discussions on the underclass is not on economics but behavior. The poor are scapegoats for drug problems and the crime rate. The concept of "underclass" ignores the conflict between the dynamic of tokenism and the reality of capitalism. (BJV)

This report addresses the failure of U.S. systems of support for homeless families, the impact of this failure on the nature of poverty across the country, and common sense options for turning failure into success. Extensive histories of participation in U.S. institutions of support are not spread evenly across the homeless population. While about…

This special theme issue of the newly titled "Civil Rights Journal" (previously titled "Perspectives"), commemorates the 40th anniversary of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights by presenting a written symposium that offers a wide range of perspectives on civil rights realities and the future of civil rights. Three…

This issue of "Civic Partners" is a call to action on behalf of American's cities. The issue opens with John W. Gardner's discussion of the "responsibles" whose vision and energy sustain communities. He stresses that all of us are "responsibles." Among the many tasks that face those responsible for urban improvement is the teaching of conflict…

Provides a concise overview on export-based, free zone development in the Dominican Republic by examining its influence on three spatial levels: national, regional, and town. Although industrial free zones contribute to job creation and foreign exchange earnings, local authorities are often unable to control urban development. (MJP)

Describes the mechanisms of deindustrialization, identifies the implications of this social and economic change for the central city as a whole and for urban schools in particular, and considers what these implications mean for urban schools and urban students. (SLD)

Investigates the relative frequency with which U.S. subjects with a non-English first language use English vis-a-vis their other non-English languages. Data from the 1976 Survey of Income and Education (over 150,000 households) indicate that societal pressure and demographic constraints on interactions in non-English languages influence language…

Traces development of U.S. cities through the colonial town, market place town, radial center, fringe city, and the multicentered metropolis. Notes the 1970 census showed the United States as a suburban nation. Examines the housing patterns of urban cities that continue to lose population. (NL)

Factors contributing to the gap between white health status and black health status include the following: (1) a lack of culturally sensitive health information; (2) denial by blacks of early warning signs of disease; (3) delays by blacks in seeking care; and (4) decreased access of blacks to high quality health care. (SLD)