A retrospective exploratory analysis of data related to student mobility and literacy in one Canadian low-income, urban, elementary school found one-quarter of the student population changed over the course of an academic year. Transience rates tended to cluster in particular rooms. Mobility had little direct effect on student literacy. (Contains…

Description and economic evaluation of the first Spanish education-voucher program: The nursery voucher system in Valencia. Evaluation focuses on equality of opportunity and parental choice. Finds that vouchers allow a number of poor children to be schooled as well as allowing a number of parents to choose the school they prefer. Discusses…

Analysis of 101 projects in 7 public works programs (PWPs) in Western Cape Province in the mid-1990s estimated the public expenditure needed to transfer resources to the poor. Comparison of the result with that generated by a hypothetical, untargeted transfer showed that most of the PWPs outperform the benchmarks. (Contains 26 references.) (JOW)

Uses federal survey data to examine U.S. population with inadequate income for less than one year. Reports long-term and persistent poor are more likely to be aged, Black, and disabled. Welfare programs may not target groups comprising the short-term poor, leading to inadequate services. (DHP)

The longitudinal evaluation component of the Dutch National Education Priority Programme is discussed. This general policy program focuses on reducing all education arrears based on ascriptive criteria. The evaluation design includes the longitudinal cohort studies and a number of specific projects within the compensatory education program. (TJH)

Uses national survey data to demonstrate that, compared to the rural or U.S. non-poor, the rural poor consumed less of eight of nine key nutrients; and disparities were greatest for vitamins A and C, iron, and calcium, and for the youngest (two-five years) age group studied. (SV)

Summarizes research studies on (1) differentials in retirement income and life expectancy in Montreal; (2) differentials in life expectancy following retirement in Paris; (3) relationship between work and postretirement health in Paris; (4) effects of piecework on aging in Quebec; and (5) relationship among occupation, health, and work ability in…

Describes how a Seattle principal confronted familiar urban school challenges and brought parents, teachers, and students together to focus on children' needs. The school's strategic plan included goals for behavior improvement, a quest for equity, an emphasis on parent involvement, and an ever-evolving child-centeredness. (MLH)

The relationship between specific narrative skills and social class was studied in a culturally and racially homogeneous sample (51 4-year olds), focusing on narratives of economically disadvantaged children. Children from disorganized, chaotic and disadvantaged households were most likely to produce minimal narratives that were poorly planned.…

Surveys the incentives and disincentives that influence men's decisions to participate in the role of father. A proposal is offered as a means of minimizing disincentives and maximizing incentives to increase fathers' support of their children, thereby decreasing child poverty. (GR)

This article describes an ongoing support program in a Head Start program for grandparents who are serving as the primary caretakers of their grandchildren. Information is provided on the program's purpose and goals, the grandparents who attend, how meetings are run, experiences and incidental learning, and the progression of the group. (DB)

This keynote address argues that some efforts of early educational programs have, themselves, led to new risks for children. Issues discussed include the confusion between culture and development, services to poor children and families, and segregating young children with special needs. (JDD)

Used principal-factors extraction with varimax rotation analysis to clarify nature and function of higher-order thinking among minority high school students (n=107) from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Results allowed for specification of mental processes associated with the construct and the extent to which students reported awareness and…

This paper examines problems in accurate assessment of exceptional potential in young children from minority and/or economically disadvantaged settings. Assessment issues are examined in the light of research on developmentally appropriate evaluation of young children. Historical and current practices are reviewed, and two innovative approaches to…

A study compared characteristics of two groups of teachers in Victoria (Australia) schools: those teaching in the Disadvantaged Schools Program (n=576) and those in nonprogram schools (n=596). Results indicated the importance of workplace relationships in both groups and pointed to some differences in curriculum, pedagogy, and student…