This collection of essays seeks to prepare educational theorists and practitioners to accept diversity as a fundamental element in all educational decision making. The collection defines diversity broadly to include differences along racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, ability, socioeconomic, language, and gender lines. Themes running throughout…

A study was done that compared the parental involvement of three generations of Japanese Americans in their children's education, particularly their involvement in academic work and extracurricular activities and perceived barriers to involvement. First generation Japanese American immigrants are called "Isseis" in Japanese; second…

This theme issue focuses on literacy education and prereading activities for very young children who may be at risk for reading failure. It contains several papers, with the following titles and authors: "The Beginnings of Literacy" (Joan Brooks McLane and Gillian Dowley McNamee); "A Book Is a Child's Companion" (Jeree H. Pawl); "What's It Mean To…

This study examined the attitudes of fifth and sixth grade students from Chicago (Illinois) toward classroom climate in an effort to better understand factors that would encourage greater self-concept, higher achievement, and student and teacher behaviors. The study population included 185 fifth and sixth grade students attending the Philip…

A study was done of the state level perspective on Chapter 1 program implementation under the 1988 amendments to the Elementary and Secondary School Improvement Act. In 1991-92, the study surveyed 50 out of 53 Chapter 1 coordinators in state education agencies (SEAs) whose offices are responsible for communicating the law's provisions to school…

A practicum was designed to provide an intervention for preschoolers who were at risk for academic difficulties. A developmentally appropriate curriculum was used to increase the developmental levels of the children, and training was provided to parents to enhance their parenting skills and knowledge, and consequently to guarantee the stability of…

A study was done of teachers' perceptions of support, resources, empowerment, autonomy, and discipline problems in Chapter 1 and non-Chapter 1 schools. The study used data from the Schools and Staffing Survey. Overall, most teachers in elementary schools, middle schools, junior high schools, and senior high schools with Chapter 1 programs agree…

An evaluation was done of the New York City Public Schools' Alternative Basic Comprehensive Program (Project ABC). Project ABC operated at 2 high schools in the Bronx (Christopher Columbus High School and Walton High School) and served limited English proficient (LEP) students, 227 in the fall and 286 in the spring of the 1990-91 school year. The…

National concern about U.S. competitiveness in the world market has focused attention on the need to improve the work force. The two major 1992 presidential candidates have included training programs as important planks in their campaigns. President Bush has issued two proposals. Initially, he has charged in the Job Training 2000 proposal that the…

A study was done of the school reform and restructuring effort in the Chicago (Illinois) Public Schools specifically of the extent to which the legislative mandate for restructuring, new management, and constituent interests has been translated into educational policy and voter turnout in local school council elections. The study used data from a…

This book is designed as a primer on the politics of the struggle for equal educational opportunity in U.S. public schools through a look at the experience of New York State. It shows how efforts to shrink the gap between rich and poor school districts by adjusting state aid formulas are frustrated largely due to the dictates of political…

A review was undertaken of strategies for increasing Hispanic American parental involvement in their children's schools. Despite the continued strong extended family support for child rearing in the Hispanic American community, parent participation in their children's education is quite low. Studies show that many Hispanic Americans regard the…

The RAND Institute on Education and Training in consultation with the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives undertook an analysis of federal policy options to improve education in low-income areas. The analysis focuses on Chapter 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, drawing on a comprehensive review…

This book provides an account of life in the inner city from World War II to the present. Poor, jobless, and racially outcast young black people are economically and socially excluded from the American mainstream. To compensate for this, inner-city children turn to American traditions of consumerism and violence. Buying into the implicit message…

A subcommittee of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission heard testimony on social changes in progress and the future of civil rights, in the second in a series of forums. The purpose of the forum was to gather information about equal opportunities for minorities in education and economic development. Representatives from the Federal Government, public…