An estimated 250 million children are working worldwide, and child labor is one of the most devastating consequences of persistent poverty. This monograph proposes that the World Bank take stronger action, and outlines what to do and how, to help address the issue more pro-actively by partnering with other world organizations. The monograph first…

Argues that the primary reason for Mexican American students' low academic achievement was the agrarian belief system, shared by both Mexicans and Whites, that valued children's labor in the fields more than in the school house. (SM)

This paper provides an in-depth review and analysis of literature on dropping out from school, and focuses on children who have gained access, but fail to complete a basic education cycle. The main discussion is around why and how children drop out from school. Here drop out is not presented as a distinct event, but rather a process where a range…

The papers in this volume reflect the general theme of the congress, "Educators United, Ready for Change." A theme that emerged during the conference concerned the need to fight structural adjustment programs, imposed by the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund, which were destroying the educational and social infrastructure of…

The book examines the evolving roles of children as colonial apprentices, indentured servants, slaves, and family workers in the state of New York from the colonial period to the mid-nineteenth century. Activities are suggestions only and can be adapted as needed. The chapters examine the impact of many social forces on childrens' lives and…

This volume of essays and activities is written for use in the eighth grade course "United States and New York State History." The volume follows the chronology from the Civil War to the present, emphasizing child labor during those years. The essays are intended for teachers but can be mastered by many students. The activities focus on…

To investigate whether low school attendance rates in Guatemala (about 35% of primary school aged children do not attend) are due primarily to the need for children in low income families to contribute to family income or child care and other housekeeping tasks, time use data were collected in 4 rural villages from mothers of 369 children, aged…

Data from North Carolina and South Carolina in 1910 indicate that racially segregated labor markets and racially unequal school systems affected school enrollment of African-American and white children. Research focusing on the textile industry suggests that school enrollment expansion was constrained by limited availability of educational…

Records show that school enrollment for girls is still lagging behind in some areas in the Asia and Pacific region, which poses challenge for the region to achieve Education for All (EFA) by 2015. And girls' labor in the Asia and Pacific region continues to constitute a major obstacle towards gender parity in education, another EFA target. Girls'…

This study of childhood through the centuries provides a new perspective on the age-old challenge of growing up and thriving in a diverse and complex society. The book consists of a brief introduction followed by eight chapters. Chapter 1, "Crime and Punishment," details crime and punishment of children from the eighteenth century to the present.…

Three articles describe the lifestyle of the children of migrant agricultural workers. First, Jose A. Cardenas provides an overview of education for migrant children. He notes academic performance deviations and underachievement resulting from their educational programs. Cardenas describes poor staffing, frequent segregation, curricula…

This review describes the progress of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in addressing children's needs worldwide in the 10 years since the International Year of the Child in 1979. Specific aims of the study were: (1) to review major NGO initiatives for children, especially initiatives involving interaction with the United Nations, during the…

THERE ARE SEVERAL FACETS TO THE PROBLEMS FACING FARM WORKERS AND SMALL FARMERS. THE AVERAGE RATE OF FARM RESIDENT DECLINE SINCE 1960 IS ABOUT 4 PERCENT FOR WHITE AND 10 PERCENT FOR NEGRO FARM PEOPLE, ALTHOUGH FROM 1959 TO 1964, EIGHT SOUTHERN STATES HAD A NEGRO FARMER DECLINE RATE OF 32.4 PERCENT. THESE PEOPLE LEAVE TO ESCAPE THE POVERTY WHICH IS…

For many years, farmworkers in Zimbabwe have been a marginalized and neglected community. This book describes the lives of hired farmworkers' children in their own words. Over 850 children aged 10-17 were interviewed or wrote essays in English or Shona. Nearly all the children were in elementary school in grades 4-7. Many farm children undergo…

Switzerland has an area of only a little over 15,900 square miles, a population of about three and one-half millions, but 25 distinct political units--Cantons--each virtually autonomous in the control of its schools. There is no Federal educational board to issue plans, decrees, letters, or special instruction tending to unify the system. Under…