Spina bifida is the most common, permanently disabling birth defect in the United States. It is a birth defect that involves incomplete formation of the spine during the first month of pregnancy--often before a woman even knows she is pregnant. Everyday, an average of eight babies are born with spina bifida or a similar birth defect of the brain…

Using a theory of resiliency, this study provides a Chicana student's perspective of the role of parents in the development of college aspirations. Qualitative interviews with Chicana high school seniors shed light on the different ways these students perceive and come to understand the manner by which their parents influence and shape their…

Discusses how to choose series biographies for children about women and people of color. Guidelines help balance standards for quality with collection demands and available resources. An annotated list reviews 17 different series containing 54 titles. Other sources of reviews are presented. (SLD)

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) "Chance Favors the Prepared Mind": Report Finds that Students in the Highest-Achieving States Score As Well…

Developed to assist parents and students in finding sources of postsecondary financial aid, this annotated listing provides a brief summary of the basic information about a selected list of financial aid sources designed primarily for minority groups and women, or available to all students. The listings provide names and addresses, background…