Maintains that the photograph, "Migrant Mother," is recognized throughout the world. Provides a three-part instructional unit on Dorothea Lange and social issues related to migrant workers. Includes four photographs by Lange, including the most well-known, "Migrant Mother 5." (CFR)

Although blocked by a preliminary injunction, Proposition 187, also known as the Save Our State Initiative, would ban nonemergency health care, schooling, and other social services for illegal immigrants. Since its passage by the citizens of California in 1994, several states, such as Arizona, Washington, Oregon, and Florida, have begun to…

Analyzes two recent controversies about censorship of arts: Robert Mapplethorpe's photographs and U.S. congressional limits on funding for National Endowment for the Arts. Maintains artistic freedom can be encouraged if all segments of society learn about arts. Recommends that aesthetic education deal with these controversial issues, the social…

To improve urban schools, we must create a culture of success for African-American students. A multicultural education that infuses African and African-American history and culture throughout the curriculum is appropriate at this time because problems have reached such critical proportions. (SLD)

Describes the early history of the juvenile court system and ties it to the reforms of the U.S. Progressive Era. Examines the arguments of those who call for the abolition of juvenile courts. Concludes that much of the criticism is misplaced and that efforts should be made to make juvenile courts work rather than abolish them. (CFR)

Proposals for shaping the National Information Infrastructure (NII) lack sufficient provision for supporting locally controlled information delivery systems, which could serve all the people, regardless of class or community environment. A system of federally sponsored National and Regional Institutes for Information Democracy could help meet this…

Reviews the association between material deprivation and child abuse and considers the implications of this association for preventive strategies. It is concluded that communitywide strategies aimed at supporting all care providers are more likely to succeed than those based on at-risk groups. (SLD)

Reviews the performance of large school districts, particularly those of New York City, and argues that their relatively poor performance is caused by fundamental tensions among effective school practices and the nature of large systems. Alternative means of encouraging school independence are considered, and the most noteworthy of these are…

D. M. Stewart does not adequately portray the problems, or sufficiently assess socioeconomic and political realities with respect to African Americans today. The lack of neutrality and objectivity in standardized tests must be recognized, and alternative forms of assessment are imperative to provide equal access to education for African Americans.…

Summarizes the history of education in a rural, primarily African-American town in North Carolina as one of denial used as a coping mechanism for disappointment. Denial of real problems by blacks and whites has contributed to the town's weakened sense of community and its lack of a local school. (SLD)

Applies the opportunity to learn conceptual framework to previously collected multiple-case study data from a 3-year study of an academic intervention program in 10 urban Chapter 1 elementary schools. Also illustrates how the multiple-case study approach can be used as an explanatory research tool. (SLD)

Surveys 600 Russian college students regarding their hopes for the future, economic and social advancement, and personal information. Argues that, although students generally are optimistic about their future, many fail to exhibit the self-discipline necessary to be successful. Skepticism about the government is endemic. (MJP)

Continues an article that began in the summer 1995 "Interdisciplinary Humanities." Examines ethical concerns about nuclear power, societal control, and prejudice articulated in science fiction literature. Authors studied include Ray Bradbury, Philip K. Dick, and Damon Knight. The earlier article covered literature concerned with ecology…

Maintains that teachers can convert social studies to "prosocial" studies by emphasizing the role of caring and empathy as a response to social problems. Briefly addresses integrating the concept of caring into discussions concerning personal relationships and community issues. Advocates modeling behavior and cooperative learning. (MJP)

People's lack of connectedness and increasing alienation, dubbed the "epidemic of insecurity," have unhealthy impacts on society, and create some special problems for males. Cites research findings that closeness and pleasure, especially during child-rearing, promote nonharmful behaviors, and discusses parental, educational, and institutional…