This book provides a summary of past and cutting-edge research on the acquisition of language by young children. It lends support to the behavioralist paradigm of language acquisition, namely, that maternal rewards and corrections should be integrated with perceptual, cognitive, and social learning conceptualizations in a skill-learning approach…

In this qualitative study, five female students in the sixth grade were interviewed and surveyed about their views on popularity at their urban middle school in Ohio. The objectives of the study were to investigate whether middle school girls engaged in academic competition, to describe their subjective experiences of popularity in middle school,…

This paper traces the effects of economic restructuring through comparative socioeconomic profiles of African American and Latinos in the Midwest, with a focus on Chicago and Kansas City. Globalization has been associated with deindustrialization, relocation of jobs to developing countries with cheaper labor, and expansion of the service sector. A…

With exceptions so few that they stand out prominently, the professional possibilities of the school principalship have not been realized. The reasons for this state of affairs are not pertinent here. It is enough to note that schools of education are studying the situation, are attempting to analyze conditions, are trying to attract promising…

The Latino population in the United States is growing at a rapid pace, and the proportion of our nation's under-five year olds who are Latino is increasing even faster. Many of these children lack access to the high-quality pre-kindergarten experiences that promote academic achievement and future success. By providing Latino children with…

Developing services for children that meet individual needs more effectively is one of the key challenges facing our public services. Six years ago, the publication of the New Community Schools prospectus was the start of a programme of pilot projects across Scotland intended to take this agenda forward. This report looks at how well authorities…

Barriers which may prevent Mexican American women from participating in higher education include: sex role restrictions, low socioeconomic status, lack of parental financial support, "culture shock," and traditional admissions criteria. Programs designed to provide financial and motivational support are desirable to help break down the…

Data were collected in five countries (The Gambia, Ghana, Mauritius, Nigeria, Sierra Leone) between 1976 and 1981 from secondary students to examine five variables affecting occupational aspirations: sex, culture, religion, socioeconomic status, and environment and opportunities of the school. School quality and sex affected attitudes most. (LC)

Describes a study using the Student Reactions to College (SRC) questionnaire to investigate students' perceptions of General College of the University of Minnesota, comparing students by age, race, and socioeconomic status. The SRC contained 150 items in the areas of the instructional process, student goals, college administration, and…

Describes a research project in which the students examine data showing the income disparity between men and women. The students decide on which sociological theories might explain this discrepancy and devise a study to test this hypothesis. Includes instructions for the assignment and guidelines for cooperative learning. (MJP)

A study compared characteristics of New South Wales (Australia) nursing students in 1986 (n=447) and 1995 (n=512). Results show no significant socioeconomic differences overall, only for females. Certain family characteristics also differed, including number of siblings and mother's income. It was also found that new public policy does not…

Uses data from the 1990 Census Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS) to provide several explanations for the educationally disadvantaged position of Mexican-origin adolescents. Considers the influence of socioeconomic family backgrounds, English-language ability, and migration history. Includes a discussion of research methodology and statistical…

Evaluates how Puerto Ricans in the United States are worse off relative to other groups, and whether their disadvantage remains after the controls of family background and ethnic status are added. Results suggest that, compared to Whites, Blacks, and Mexicans, Puerto Ricans have a unique educational disadvantage that contributes to their having…

Future physical activity practitioners need to be educated to be sensitive to the problem of socioeconomic inequality and motivated to contribute to social change. Direct community development experiences in low-income urban neighborhoods and rural areas can help raise consciousness, encourage reflection, and promote action for social change. (SM)

A study of 161 substance-abusing mothers assessed 10 maternal risk factors: maternal depression; domestic violence; nondomestic violence; family size; incarceration; no significant other at home; negative life events; psychiatric problems; homelessness; and drug use severity. Parenting stress and child abuse potential was higher for women with…