Discusses diversity issues related to sensitivity to differences, opportunities afforded by the Columbus quincentenary for discourse on diversity and democracy, and demographic trends. Provides a rationale for promoting leadership diversity. Assesses the current status of women and minorities in public and private leadership. Discusses steps in…

A restrictive form of equality limits African Americans' ability to benefit equally from public schooling. The "Brown" decision represents the Supreme Court's attempt to apply a mathematical solution to a social problem and left schools free to develop responses that failed to address African-American students' needs. A more expansive…

This paper reviews Japan's child abuse/neglect history, including the incidence of "coin-operated-locker babies," where murdered infants are hidden in railway and airport lockers, and actions taken to reduce this problem. The incidence of child abuse in Japan and the United States is compared, and social influences on the number of…

Three small Colorado towns that faced a declining economy as the mining resource ran out used gambling-based tourism as a strategy for community development. Although economic benefits to the towns have far exceeded expectations, negative social, environmental, and political changes, such as crime alcoholism, traffic problems, and conflicts…

Describes the fight that was advertized as the first championship prizefight in the United States between an Irish immigrant and a New York City street fighter. Addresses the social issues behind the event. Discusses the tension between labor and politics, working class suspicion directed toward the Irish immigrants, and internal stresses within…

Contends that population education must address social, religious, and political issues. Early family planning programs have been widened to include migration, life expectancy, and public health, but large sections of the population remain ill-informed on demographic questions. (DMM)

Reviews six books on the social ills that are threatening to overwhelm our nation's children. Issues discussed include violence as a learned behavior and hate crimes; psychiatric testing of young people used as a control mechanism; educating homeless children; inadequate health care for adolescents; and young unwed fathers. (MLF)

Six potential problems with the use of randomized experiments to evaluate programs in the field are addressed. Problems include treatment dilution, treatment contamination or confounding, inaccurate case flow and power estimates, violations of the random assignment processes, changes in the environmental context, and changes in the treatment…

Critics and many educators blame the media for public perceptions that schools are failing, due to growing social problems, declining discipline, and falling standards. A Kettering study shows that people's disenchantment with public schools is based on their personal experience. Journalists are responsible for writing objectively about…

Discusses issues that come up in classrooms regarding children's books that have the power to engage students in "critical" conversations about issues of power and social justice, and how systems of meaning in society position educators. Offers descriptions of 12 such books for children, and lists chapter books, books for older readers,…

Discusses societal reasons for the abuse of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Suggests some solutions that are linked to current professional literature and thinking on international disability policy. These include reliable nationwide data on abuse, training about abuse for all personnel who work with children who have disabilities, and…

Gives objectives for and an outline of topics covered in a course designed to examine the dynamics of death and dying. (WRM)

In two surveys, a substantial majority of school board members supported development of school-linked services to meet the needs of children and families. When given an opportunity to comment individually, some expressed ambivalence about fully supporting such services. Respondents felt substance-abuse services, health services, and parenting…

Addresses the movement called civic nationalism in Quebec Province (Canada) that allows all people regardless of ethnic heritage to participate fully in the secular and governmental life of Canada. Provides a puzzle that focuses on the people uniting against civic nationalism. Included the clues and word list. (CMK)

Reviews two youth-produced videos: one about life in a Croatian refugee, the other about racism. The techniques, processes, and problems of young people's video production are discussed. The roles of youth-produced videos as agents of social change and as an alternative to mainstream media are explored. (GR)