Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Recent work in immigrant political incorporation in the social sciences has examined level of civic participation and partisanship among new immigrants. However, little attention has been focused upon another step in the political incorporation of immigrants historically, differentiation from Blacks as expressed in negative racial attitudes towards Blacks. Do new immigrants express negative racial attitudes towards Blacks similar to those expressed by earlier White ethnic immigrant groups, and if so, what accounts for these attitudes? Using the 1992-1994 Multi City Survey of Urban Inequality, this paper examines the content of immigrant racial attitudes towards Blacks and test the utility of existing theoretical explanations of negative racial attitudes that include: context, contact, and perceptions of group conflict. These models have been used primarily to account for the attitudes of Whites toward Blacks, and although potentially important to accounting for the attitudes of new immigrants, I argue that these models do not incorporate germane variables important to understanding immigrant racial attitudes. Thus, the paper also tests the utility of assimilation theory that incorporates salient independent variables such as: ethnicity, English proficiency, level of civic participation, length of residence, and skin color which all could account for the racial attitudes of new immigrant groups.

Publication Type: Proceeding

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Much has changed since the first empirical studies of Black public opinion emerged in the 1980s. African Americans have acquired significant political power and influence since then. In this paper, I seek to examine the state of Black public opinion today. In addition to determining the degree to which Black public opinion remains consistently liberal from the 1950s to 2004, I also seek to identify the degree to which race identification remains an importance force in Black public opinion. I conclude by proposing an alternative model of Black public opinion that shifts the focus from identifying grassroots level determinants to the role of political elites.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: While liberal nationalism revealed the empirical and normative significance of national identity it ignored factors causing illiberal nationalism. I argue that national identity type is consequential both for fiduciary trust and democratic attitudes

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Although Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) started out as a measurement tool, many countries have shown an interest in using it as a springboard to improve reading. Liberia is one country using EGRA to improve, and not just assess, reading. With World Bank funding, the EGRA tool was first used, via a pilot assessment, to establish a reading baseline and complete an overall system-level diagnosis for identification of areas for improvement. At the request of the Ministry of Education, USAID/Liberia is now funding a two-year follow-up project, called EGRA Plus: Liberia, whose main purpose is to improve student reading skills by implementing evidence-based reading instruction. EGRA Plus: Liberia incorporates tasks and activities that will yield information on the causes of poor reading levels—similar to those described in opportunity-to-learn literature. Teachers are being given systematic training, support and supervision, along with toolkits and ample reading materials for student use. The project also involves training and collaboration with Ministry staff in the areas of early grade assessment, development of skills in early grade reading improvement, and the use of data to drive teaching improvement. Thorough monitoring and evaluation also are part of the overall approach.