The National Center for Children in Poverty is developing a series of issue briefs on children and welfare reform to help policymakers, community leaders, and advocates use the opportunities afforded by welfare changes in ways that are most likely to benefit both children and adults. This second issue brief focuses on the impact of federal and…

Findings of this report indicate that, since an earlier 1994 study, the number of Americans that own computers has increased by over 50% and the number of households using e-mail has quadrupled. Nevertheless, access to the Information Superhighway is still beyond the grasp of many Americans. While the nation-wide telephone penetration rate remains…

This report asserts that college work-study programs have been very successful in creating wage-paying jobs for low-income students who need funds for college expenses. There are compelling reasons to build on this legacy of college work-study to create new work-study initiatives designed explicitly for welfare recipients. Some of the key program…

The current accountability movement in education is examined in terms of its historical antecedents and federal versus state initiatives and requirements. The assumptions underlying the educational accountability movement are then considered, and refinements and extensions to these assumptions are proposed. The accountability movement in American…

This paper describes: the development and implementation of Schoolwide Projects (SWPs) in the School District of Philadelphia (Pennsylvania); evaluation models permitted by Chapter 1 regulation and policy; ways these models were used in Philadelphia and results that were obtained; and approaches that are sensitive to the effects of SWPs. The…

An assessment was made of the extent to which participants enrolled in programs funded by Title IIA of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) receive support services that enable them to attend training. Specifically, the study sought to determine the following: (1) the extent of participant support that local JTPA programs provide; (2) the…

This paper discusses the evaluation of 4 of the 12 project sites that are participating in a U.S. Department of Education demonstration program to implement dropout prevention or reentry models that include vocational education as the key intervention strategy. The evaluation study includes the following: (1) identification of factors that affect…

This report addresses two concerns of Congress: ways to reduce layoffs and the effectiveness of programs to assist dislocated workers. Section I discusses the reasons for layoffs, economic conditions of the 1980s that led to layoffs, and public policy responses to worker dislocation. Section II describes alternatives to layoffs: short-time…

A study was made of the impact of Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) Title II-A on the earnings and employment of four target groups (adult women and men and female and male out-of-school youth) over the first 18 months after random assignment to a treatment group that had access to the program or a control group, which did not. The study…

American Indian unemployment remains high despite efforts by tribes and the federal government to improve employment opportunities. Persistently high unemployment among Indians has resulted in low family incomes and high poverty rates relative to Whites. Particularly serious on reservations, these continuing problems are related in part to low…

A study of possible modifications to the Chapter 1 formula examined whether such change might better target the federal funds to the needs of low-achieving students in high poverty areas. The study used data from a national evaluation of Chapter 1. The data underwent a multiple regression analysis focusing on the relationship between low…

This publication reports on progress made regarding seven tasks of the Chapter 1 Technical Assistance Center (TAC) for Region A (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, and Vermont). Chapter 1 is a federal program sponsoring remedial education projects nationwide. The TAC offers services…

A study used data on the characteristics, Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) program activities, and quarterly earnings of about 6,500 adult female Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) recipients who enrolled in JTPA programs in 11 states during Program Year 1986. The study tracked the experiences of the women in the JTPA programs and…

This technical assistance guide was developed to assist Service Delivery Areas (SDAs) and Private Industry Councils (PICs) to develop local coordination activities and to enhance their ongoing coordination efforts. The guide is organized in five sections. The first section introduces the guide and defines "coordination." It is followed…

The National and Community Service Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-610), enacted in November 1990, authorized the establishment of a program for minority students to receive financial assistance grants in preparation and exchange for Peace Corps service. Although more than 3 years have passed since the enactment of the authorizing legislation, the…