Synthesizes studies of the effects of modifying the academic calendar in grades K-12 to do away with the long summer break without increasing the length of the school year. Findings show that evidence on such modification is weak, but that modified calendars are associated with higher achievement for economically disadvantaged students. (SLD)

Studies the relationship between Chinese beliefs about adversity and psychological well-being in 229 economically disadvantaged families. Results showed that adolescents with stronger endorsement for positive Chinese beliefs about adversity generally displayed better psychological well-being and school adjustment and less problem behavior.…

Examines the 1880s era of female volunteer instructors who made it their mission to teach art to the poor. Focuses on the contributions of the Home Arts and Industries Association as an example. Describes multiple benefits that this organization provided. (KDR)

Using a sample of 30 African American adolescents, explores the relationship between self-esteem and participation in a supportive prenatal care program designed specifically for this age group. Findings indicate no significant relationship between the overall self-esteem construct and use of prenatal care services. (GR)

To interest multicultural, bilingual teenagers in nursing careers, an 8-week culturally focused summer program integrated life planning, mentorship, nursing assistant training, and college application assistance while providing stipends and scholarship opportunities. Twenty-four economically disadvantaged teenagers completed the program and passed…

Study assesses self-esteem, financial deprivation, number of alternate roles, and use of social support among unemployed participants. Financial deprivation, alternate roles, and social support each had a main effect on self-esteem. In addition, these variables interacted with gender to affect self-esteem. (Contains 76 references and 2 tables.)…

Two years ago Congress passed the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act that provides $5 million a year for state programs to ensure that children are not prevented by bureaucratic or transportation obstacles from obtaining a public education. Although some homeless education plans are helping the children, the funding is inadequate. (MLF)

Reviews current research on Black families headed by a single mother indicating that economic insecurity of Black males is an important causal factor in explaining both the numbers and the impoverishment of this family type. Contends social workers must advocate for policies to assist these groups economically. (Author/ABL)

In October 1994, President Clinton signed into law a substantially modified version of the Improving America's Schools Act (IASA), which extends and amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and related legislation. This article describes Title I LEA grant formulas before the 1994 amendments, major criticisms of these formulas, and an…

Because many economically disadvantaged learners have a social learning style, vocational educators need to bridge this personality-based readiness gap to help develop advanced problem-solving skills. Students may find it difficult to gain this support in today's educational environment. (Author)

Academic Development Institute study found schools having greatest difficulty engaging parents were those with high concentrations of poor, single-parent families with many children. Project Better Day was designed to identify uninvolved parents whose grade 1-4 children were behind grade level; draw these parents into positive school relationship;…

The divergent views of poor and working-class African-American and White men regarding the causes of their current condition are presented. Different "biographies of race" encourage African-American men to blame the economy and racism but White men to blame Black males for the economic plight of White men. The ways in which the two…

Based on evidence that human performance can be influenced by effective belief systems, formal mentoring programs have been developed. Improvement is found in aspirations of economically disadvantaged students but none of the findings, with respect to self-efficacy and possible selves, indicated significant improvement. Further development of…

Investigates the reliability and validity of the published teacher version of the preschool Social Skills Rating System (SSRS) for Head Start children. Results of exploratory factor analyses are described and implications for continued development of the instrument are discussed. (Author/MKA)

Studies sheltered homeless and low-income housed families to examine predictors of academic achievement, focusing on housing status, mobility, and race/ethnicity. Results reveal that housing status was not associated with academic achievement. Discusses how homeless and housed children had comparable rates of absenteeism and other school-related…