Rural minorities lag behind rural Whites and urban minorities on many crucial economic and social measures. This collection of 10 papers examines rural Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian and Pacific Islander populations and their economic well-being in the 1980s, an economically difficult decade for rural areas. Results show minimal…

This booklet examines the need for action to improve the nation's lowest performing public schools, noting the responsibility of teacher unions to participate in the development of workable solutions. Section 1, "Redesigning Low-Performing Schools," discusses reasons for concern, what should be done, and how to implement change. Section…

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), which reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, places a major emphasis on teacher quality as a significant factor in improving student achievement. Under NCLB, Title II, Part A provides funds to states and districts to conduct a variety of teacher-related reform activities.…

Because the numbers responding to the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) social issues survey were so small, any generalizations about the views of the membership of NCSS policy directions must be made with extreme caution. With this limitation in mind, survey results are discussed. (RM)

Describes the mounting enthusiasm of Indian communities for appropriate technology as an inexpensive means of providing much needed energy and job opportunities. Describes the development of several appropriate technology projects, and the goals and activities of groups involved in utilizing low scale solar technology for economic development on…

A survey of 186 Mississippi social workers investigated attitudes toward poverty and the poor. Results show a relatively positive attitude, particularly among older and more experienced professionals. Discusses findings related to type of social work practice, level of educational attainment, licensure status, and political orientation. (MSE)

Examines school-community relations in a Botswana settlement of Basarwa, remote rural nomads with a minority language and culture. Surveys of parents and students in grades 5-7 indicate that all held positive educational attitudes and believed schooling would help children to find future employment, but that schools were authoritarian and operated…

Captures the cooperative spirit of a suburban Georgia high school with 2,000 highly mobile students from 60 countries and speaking over 30 different languages. Staff work to counter stereotypical assumptions and use diversity as a positive resource for learning and promotion of individual excellence. Diversity-management strategies related to…

Briefly describes several approaches to multicultural education including highlighting minority achievements and emphasizing human relations and social reconstruction. Argues that social reconstruction is the most productive approach for teaching urban geography. Social reconstruction examines the creation and perpetuation of inequality through…

Reviews programs for increasing earnings of parents with low market skills to prevent pretransfer poverty and discusses three types of income supplementation (public cash transfers, private child support payments, and tax credits) and how successful they are in reducing poverty. Also provides international comparisons of policies to reduce child…

To help future teachers understand how problems of poverty, abuse, and indifferent medical care affect children's learning, the elementary education faculty at SUNY-College at Oneonta (New York) instituted a new graduation requirement called "Early Field Experiences." Elementary education majors must complete 40 hours of field…

Examines young children's physical development and how growth is linked to cognitive and social development. Discusses problems in American children's diets and the use of height-for-age and weight-for-height as indicators of physical maturity. Considers complexities of the physical-cognitive relationship and identifies possible ways that social…

Statistical evidence, 1980-95, on Scottish secondary students' attainment, achievement, rates of staying on in postcompulsory education, and rates of entering higher education indicates sharp reductions in differences between advantaged and disadvantaged students. Improved access to expanded curricula has been supported by a deeply embedded social…

Reviews research on experiences of vulnerable and poor English multiracial families. Finds three emerging concerns: (1) relationship between family structure, locality and racism, and disadvantage and oppression; (2) the impact of family life on culturally defined gender roles; and (3) the limitations of current early years research and practice.…

Iowa study of 207 nonmetropolitan White female-headed families (each a divorced mother, an adolescent in grade 8-9, and a sibling) found that mothers' ineffective parenting styles were related to community disorganization, both directly and indirectly via negative events, lack of social support, and depression. Community disorganization was highly…