This article offers a case-study of specific shifts in the view of state responsibility for the less fortunate in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Current welfare policy aims to reduce the state benefits of parents if they do enrol their preschool children in an early childhood centre. I undertake a genealogical investigation and suggest that state…

In 2009, President Obama and his administration sought to overhaul the existing educational reform program and launched their initiative titled Race to the Top (RTTT). RTTT, a competitive grant program, comprised six priorities designed to help states reform their current educational systems. Priority five calls for states to evaluate their…

This article examines the consequences of two concurrent policy changes for family literacy programs in Pennsylvania: (1) the transition from federal (Even Start) to state funding and (2) the elimination of adult education as a work activity for welfare recipients over 22 years of age. Using qualitative data from 10 family literacy programs, the…

The working poor are employable people who have found low-paying jobs and barely scrape out a living. By removing many forms of federal aid, the Reagan administration has locked the working poor into poverty. In saving a few dollars today, we are penalizing the next generation. (CS)

Uses a systems approach to reframe welfare assistance as well-being for the many, not welfare for the few. The framework outlines the state of family economic functioning (crisis, at risk, safe, thriving), type of welfare assistance (entitlement, subsidy, self-sufficiency, sustainability), poverty levels (below, at, 150%, 200%), and supports…

Investigates the impact of welfare reform legislation, discussing reasons for declining enrollment and examining: welfare's rise and fall; the end of welfare as it always existed; hassles of being on welfare; influence of the strong economy and rising wages; research on declining enrollment; leaving welfare without working; other sources of…

Provides an overview of federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) legislation and describes features of state TANF programs that are relevant for appreciating the need for evaluation and interpreting evaluations. Also describes some features of the "culture" of local welfare offices. (Author/SLD)

Explores the implications of the rapid influx of low-income mothers into the work force and the new federal work requirements for the well-being of young children. Reviews data about welfare policy provisions from the 1990s, but notes that such data was generally collected before the influx of low-income mothers into the workforce. (SLD)

Discusses the conditions that promote evaluation and their applicability to the current welfare situation. Outlines a welfare reform evaluation agenda, focusing on core activities and investments in evaluation. The major focus should be finding out what is effective for which individuals. (SLD)

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), a part of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, changed the philosophical ground and rules and regulations that apply to low-income families with children who seek federal income support. TANF recipients have less flexibility in charting their life courses than…

Many eligible persons, especially those with the lowest incomes and the greatest need for assistance, are precluded from receiving benefits because of program inaccessibility. The problem of inaccessibility and nonparticipation is examined. Action by policymakers to help solve this problem is called for. (Author)

Reviews "Losing Ground: American Social Policy, 1950-1980" by Charles Murray. Murray believes federal social welfare programs sap the moral fiber of poor Americans by eliminating a negative incentive for them to work at low paying jobs. Criticizes Murray's position, citing the importance of positive as well as negative incentives for…

Describes the plight of teenage unwed mothers who are unable to complete school. Suggests that the best solution is alternative schools such as those in Austin, Texas, which provide additional services needed by these young mothers and which have sharply reduced the dropout rate. (CJM)

Describes the Work Equity Project (WEP) in Minnesota, a demonstration project funded by the Employment and Training Administration to place welfare recipients in training and employment programs leading to private, nonsubsidized jobs. WEP offices consolidate social service delivery systems otherwise spread among a number of agencies. (MF)

Describes the BEGIN Education literacy programs in adult education. Policy issues in the federal funding of BEGIN are outlined. The challenge is to structure BEGIN so that it defines and addresses a solid and clearly articulated philosophy of adult education as it meets regulatory demands and expectations. (SLD)