Examines six federal programs offering direct credit assistance to nonfarm businesses in nonmetropolitan areas, 1983-89. The Small Business Loans Program provided 72% of funds. Nonmetropolitan areas overall received federal credit assistance proportional to nonmetro percentage of national population, but assistance was disproportionately low in…

This article focuses on homeless families, the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. The article summarizes current research on the characteristics of homeless families and provides an overview of government homeless policy. Recommendations are presented for developing future homeless policies that incorporate family principles.…

Discusses the loss of political clout for revitalizing U.S. urban areas, provides some historical perspectives and rationale surrounding urban decline, and explores the need to forge a new urban policy. Urban political power and some strategies to develop an electoral and governing majority to help America's cities are examined. (GR)

Presents interim findings from an impact analysis of Ohio's Learning, Earning, and Parenting (LEAP) Program. LEAP is a statewide program designed to encourage school attendance among pregnant and parenting teens on welfare. Suggests that LEAP has succeeded in its primary short-term goal of increasing the school enrollment and attendance of teen…

Addresses difficulties identifying gifted rural children who are economically disadvantaged and who do not exhibit traditional characteristics of gifted behavior. Suggests that individual assessment be both comprehensive and culturally specific, that curriculum interventions use the resources of rural communities, and that computer technology and…

Reexamines family structure's influences on standardized test scores of first- and second-grade children with respect to family resources. Found that two parents in the home and family resources did not affect growth in standardized achievement during school sessions. Family resources did influence achievement when school was out. (RJM)

In Portugal, modernization is likely to exacerbate marginalization and exclusion for young people who are not educationally successful by blocking alternative possibilities for social mobility. Poverty, illiteracy, and unequal education opportunities are widespread. Future educational policies must be elastic to respond to accelerating changes and…

A disproportionate number of minorities are going backward, losing hope in the American dream. Bemoaning tribalization and multiculturalism does little to eliminate the economic and educational disparities that fuel them. The appropriate antidote for cultural insularity is a culture of inclusiveness infusing every facet of our society. Economic…

Kenya's traditional rural clan and extended family communal form of foster care is compared with the recent state-sponsored nuclear foster care. Shortcomings of the state plan are discussed. It is maintained that the state plan needs to make use of the African extended family. (BC)

Explores the situations of the following immigrant groups in Canada: (1) Caribbean Blacks; (2) East Indians; and (3) Filipinos. The combined contributions of these groups to Canada's work force and Canada's economic, sociological, educational, multicultural, and spiritual development are incalculable, yet these minorities face discrimination and…

Discusses the state of education, social problems, and child welfare. Urges teachers to press government representatives to better the lives of children in the United States by allotting more funds for education, health care, and the fight against poverty. Argues that children need teachers who have faith and confidence in their students. (DK)

Describes the migrant lifestyle and its effect on migrant children and their education. Addresses what preservice teachers should know about migrant families, including the availability of school funds for recruitment of migrant students, the resources of the Migrant Student Record Transfer System, and the importance of improving the educational…

The good news about U.S. schools (improved Scholastic Aptitude Test scores and international achievement rankings) continues to be ignored, while the bad news about the nation's real problems (crushing poverty, crumbling cities, and a faltering economy) worsens. A system that formerly functioned as a sorting machine is now expected to optimize all…

This study is a careful review and analysis of recent official statistics and academic studies about children and poverty in the United Kingdom. Kumar fully and succinctly identifies the link between increasing child poverty and economic, demographic, and policy changes and the greater risks of children from ethnic minorities. (SLD)

Reviews literature of controversies surrounding the rise of big cities in Western Europe and the United States. Comments that popular concepts of unspoiled nature and biblical tradition influenced antiurbanism. Notes fears of disease, breakdown of families, and rising crime rate were major concerns. Defenders countered cities would become centers…