This paper examines themes in Maine history and literature related to the character of traditional Maine people, particularly coastal people, and their attitudes toward education. The historical survey touches upon early settlement, subsistence farming, frontiers in the woods and on the islands, influence of the sea and sailing, and influences of…

This survey of 25 day care centers in 5 regions of Italy was designed to determine the characteristics of competent centers and the effects of differing local regulations on the quality of care provided. The Infant and Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS) and a questionnaire were utilized to assess the quality of the day care centers in the…

This proceedings presents papers given at a 1996 European conference on access to higher education. Following two introductory papers are the following 13 plenary session papers: "A European Perspective" (James Wimberley); "An American Perspective--Diversity in American Higher Education and U.S. Federal Policy" (Tom Wolanin); "An Eastern European…

Over the past decade, there has been a worldwide search for caretaking factors which protect children from poverty, poor health, and neglect. This search has shifted in focus from unchangeable risk factors to conditions and behaviors that can be taught to caregivers. These conditions seem to be: (1) based in species-wide needs; (2) specific to…

This issue of the Hispanic Research Center's journal contains three articles which explore diversity among Hispanic American groups (Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and Mexicans) in health status, family structure, and socioeconomic characteristics. In the lead article, "Variations in Hispanic Health Status," Antonio Zavaleta examines differences in…

A review of 178 sources (articles, books, and other sources from 1971 through 1980, and frequently-cited earlier sources) on rural sociology and rural mental health indicated 4 major categories of definitions of rural: not explicitly stated, verbal (qualitative), homemade quantitative, and external quantitative. Sources were summarized as to…

A national study examined the extent of the high school dropout problem and identified the students most likely to drop out before completing high school. Using three separate measures, the study found that on average, 4.4% of 10th-12th graders dropped out of high school annually in the years 1985-88, down about 2% from 1978; nearly 13% of all 16-…

The primary purpose of this survey was to identify the numbers of students in the teacher education pipeline by race and ethnicity. It provides a means of assessing the need for teachers of color at the K-12 level; the potential pool of minority teachers in the postsecondary sector; and prospects for beginning teachers in schools, colleges, and…

An executive summary of a study of early intervention policies for young children at risk of academic failure in state education agencies (SEAs) in the North Central United States is provided. The SEAs selected for the study were located in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Policies developed before January, 1989…

This paper analyzes data on trends of black student achievement from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Focus is placed on reading and math. Eleven graphs are provided and analyzed to discern trends for population estimates of average reading and math achievement scores for black and white school children at ages 9, 13, and…

A study detailed further a model linking monetary and fiscal policy to industrial employment in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas of four United States regions. The model was used to simulate the impacts on area and regional employment of three events in the economy: changing real gross national product (GNP) via monetary policy, holding the…

Designed for students in grades 7 through 10, this teaching unit presents illustrative resource materials depicting the multi-factor nature of a geographic region. The unit focuses not only on climatic factors, but also on introducing other regional factors in an informal way. A blackboard summary of a class discussion of the different regions is…

Radford University's program in Appalachian Studies, which was begun in 1981 in order to acquaint students with the distinctive Appalachian subculture, is presented in this report. The program has grown to encompass 15 courses in six disciplines. Core topics are history, culture, folklore, and literature, but many other subjects are included. Most…

Some nonmetropolitan counties, largely in the southern United States, remained severely economically depressed during the 1970's despite nonmetro America's economic gains during the period; other severely economically depressed counties improved their incomes in the 1970's. This report builds on an earlier study which identified 298 persistently…

Some economic variables were examined that affect enlistment decisions and therefore affect the continued success of the All-Volunteer Force. The study used a multiple regression, pooled cross-section/time-series model over the 1975-1982 period, including pay, unemployment, educational benefits, and recruiting resources as independent variables.…