One of a series of articles which will deal with non-school influences on learning in school and the limitations these influences impose on the ability of schools, teachers, and school districts to make a significant impact on the education of low-income children. (DM)

The potency of social class in determining educational inequities is examined. (MM)

The differences in language patterns resulting from disparate social backgrounds are discussed. (CK)

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility that some children in the early grades could perceive socially significant linguistic variants in speech. Although the findings were not significant, their trends precluded rejection of the hypothsis. (DM)

Studied the extent of inequality between racial groups in comparison to ethnic groups by examining socioeconomic patterns among 55 groups in 17 countries. Indicated that racial divisions more closely approximated class divisions than did ethnic delineations. (Author/MK)

The all-volunteer armed force system is less socially representative than the mixed conscription/voluntarism system of the pre-Vietnam War period. Ideological and political factors block a return to conscription, though strategic and monetary factors point to the failure of the all-volunteer force. (Author/GC)

The social interactions of 60 mother-infant pairs were observed for 25 minutes in a seminaturalistic setting when the infants were 6 months old and again at 20 months. Forty-six of the infants were termed at high risk for later school failure due to the socioeconomic situations of their families. (Author)

This article contends that there are two distinct Polish American communities: the working class which supports traditional Polish culture, and the relatively small middle class which seeks higher status and a better image through an emphasis on "heritage". (Author/GC)

Based on one question regarding library use from a national life-style study of a random sample of the American population, the major characteristics of library users and nonusers were determined. Fifteen activities having positive correlations and fifteen having negative correlations with male and female nonusers, moderate, and heavy users are…

States importance of multicultural perspective in providing more diverse and complex mental health counseling perspective. Argues that counselor understanding of group differences (ethnographic, demographic, status, and affiliation) is important for accurate interpretation of behaviors. Concludes pervasive influence of culture through underlying…

Argues that the unequal status of Maori and women in New Zealand society must change. This change must involve human goals, not financial or politically expedient ones. (PCB)

Studies how race, class and gender constituted a basis for two preservice teachers' construction of knowledge of students' reading difficulties. Finds that the two teachers differentially mediated knowledge about struggling readers through their own cultural identities. (NH)