A study of the dependency of persons on soup kitchens in Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Westchester County (New York) identified who uses these kitchens, the extent to which they are dependent on them, what other food programs they use, what their perceived need from other services is, and dependency differences of subgroups. (JS)

Uses an interurban analysis model to assess the position of lower income families. Identifies factors determining the relative incomes of the poor through use of a supply and demand model of aggregate income inequality. Found high school graduation a significant factor in income inequality. Implications for policy are discussed. (KO)

The complex set of economic problems facing Black families can best be understood from a communication perspective. Corporate America historically has taken advantage of its access to information and use of communication media to control the economic conditions of Black families. Through research and communication technology Black families can…

Scores on cognitive abilities tests administered to students (n=80; grades 4-8) being considered for gifted placement were analyzed for differences between low socioeconomic status (SES) students and average or above average SES students. Analysis indicated that the primary reason low SES students did not meet criteria for gifted placement was low…

Dynamic assessment is presented as a method of measuring intellectual ability which addresses criticisms of traditional intelligence tests. Dynamic assessment can be used to identify children's learning abilities, determine how and/or what to teach, assess giftedness in minority and poor children, control for individual differences, and explore…

Examines the debate over immigration in the United States and its influence on national racial and ethnic demographics as well as the economic and social impact. Questions of environmentalism and multiculturalism coupled with American racism and the need for immigration restriction are addressed. (GR)

Argues that to understand today's homeless crisis one must examine the policy decisions that brought it about. The paper explores that policy history, explains how it resulted in the series of dramatic demographic changes that have changed the nature of homelessness today, and suggests a comprehensive approach to lifting families out of…

Investigated the relationship between economic hardship, family relationships, and adolescent self-esteem in a sample of 387 Midwestern families. Results showed that economic hardship negatively affected adolescent self-esteem and that this effect was primarily mediated through the parent-adolescent relationship. Supports other findings that…

Explores the extent of language transition and the resilience of immigrant languages based on data from south Florida. Results from 2,843 children of immigrants show that interest in and preference for English is very high and that preservation of the parental language decays with length of U.S. residence. Relationships of bilingualism and…

Discusses the poorest of Aid to Families with Dependent Children recipients--homeless families--and a New York City initiative to help these families gain employment. The paper examines TAG (Train and Gain), a job readiness, training, and placement program designed to prepare these families for the critical transition from welfare to work. (GR)

Wisconsin State Representative Polly Williams talks about the results of the Milwaukee Education Choice bill which enables 400 socioeconomic-disadvantaged children to attend private innercity schools under a voucher system. High attendance rates and college bound rates are attributed to an African-centered curriculum, parental involvement, and…

Fear can produce behavior that is indistinguishable from racism. The best way to reduce real or imagined racism is to reduce the African-American crime rate to equal that of whites. This will require an enormous commitment to the problems of the innercity. (SLD)

Reviews research on parent involvement, focusing on families of poverty, and describes major parent partnership models incorporating home visiting, reading, and tutorial components. Programs described include a West Virginia Home-Oriented Preschool Education project, a New York City Parental Empowerment Program, a Texas Parents in Action reading…

Inner-city kindergarten children (n=24) were given an 18-week phonological awareness training program, which incorporated auditory and articulatory techniques for fostering metaphonological development. Compared to controls, subjects had greater gains in phonological awareness at the end of kindergarten and had a trend toward better reading skills…

Describes the postdoctoral fellowship program of the Spencer Foundation. Administered by the National Academy of Education, Spencer Fellowships (30 annually) enable young scholars to pursue educational research by giving them the equivalent of a year off from teaching. (SLD)