The policy issues confronted by state governments in the area of early childhood programs are examined. Important points in decision making are the contents and financing of the programs and the trade-off between cost and quality. Three appendices include data sources, financial information, and policy options. (Author/VM)

Highlights case studies of three elementary schools in the Kansas City (Missouri) System of Choice program that resulted from a court order to erase all vestiges of segregation in the Kansas City school district. The possible effects of these choices of school programs on educational equity are summarized. (GR)

This study found that microcomputer free time was a very effective consequence in decreasing the tardiness of a middle school boy, in improving his academic achievement, and in improving the student's attitude toward school and school assignments. (Author/JDD)

The Purdue University (Indiana) Department of Freshman Engineering offers a counselor-tutorial program to high-potential, but academically disadvantaged, freshmen. The program's counseling and tutorial services are intended to help students successfully complete their first-year courses in calculus, chemistry, and physics. Experience shows…

Argues that the quality of life for many preschoolers from disadvantaged backgrounds has not changed appreciably since the 19th century and that more must be done by school districts to implement effective preschool programs for all children. Suggests that supporters write to Secretary of Education Richard Riley to advocate that preschool…

Reviews the history of educational development in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia during the transition from colonialism to independence and beyond. Offers a case study of effects of educational policies in nine Zimbabwean secondary schools. Lessons derived from Zimbabwe suggest that the first postapartheid South African government must avoid policies that…

Describes a longitudinal research project to introduce holistic-constructivistic pedagogy into bilingual special education classrooms. The authors report the process of teacher change as teachers shifted from a medical model to a contextual-performance model for viewing abilities and disabilities, the changes in students' attitudes toward reading…

A larger proportion of nonmetropolitan elderly assess their health as fair or poor when compared to elderly living in metropolitan areas. In addition, larger proportions of elderly living in nonmetropolitan areas have less than a high school education and income below $20,000--factors contributing to a higher incidence of poor health. (LP)

Investigates ways in which social capital made available in an immigrant community contributes to the adaptation of the younger generation. Findings from Vietnamese youth living in New Orleans indicate that strong positive immigrant cultural conformity and constructive forms of behavior provide disadvantaged children with an adaptive advantage.…

Discusses how to prevent discouragement in disadvantaged students. Because systems cause at-risk students to feel inadequate, the article suggests only systemic change can repair the problem. Too many students lose in the present reward-and-punishment evaluation system. Effective schools must make students believe they have equal educational…

Studies previously identified factors associated with adolescent pregnancy among a nationally representative sample of unmarried African-American females (n=4,663) born between 1938 and 1962. Data from the 1982 National Survey of Family Growth suggest substantial changes in sexual behavior over the years. (SLD)

Assesses the incidence of Asian-American and Pacific Islander-American poverty, and offers a theoretical explanation for its existence. It is argued that poverty of Americans of Asian and Pacific Island descent is best understood in the context of the linkage of labor migration and U.S. labor market segmentation. (SLD)

Use of the System of Multicultural Pluralistic Assessment (SOMPA) with minority disadvantaged children in an urban school district resulted in increased numbers of African-American students (grades two through five) being eligible for gifted programing. Comparison with African-American students selected by traditional means found similar levels of…

Includes "Introduction" (Hohenshil, Brown); "Overview of Career Assessment Methods and Models" (Hohenshil, Solly); "Career Interest Assessment Techniques" (Levinson, Folino); "Aptitude Testing in Career Assessment" (Capps, Heinlein, Sautter); "Personality Assessment in Career Counseling" (Brown);…

Reviews the extension of affirmative action beyond the population descended from slaves to women. The so-called feminization of poverty is often cited to justify employment enhancement policies for women. Differences between racial and gender groups make some of the principal justifications less applicable to women. (SLD)