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The present study explores how Black and White youth respond to measures of subjective well-being within the context of critical race theory (CRT). Three levels of measurement invariance (i.e., configural, metric and scalar) were examined for indicators of subjective well-being. We hypothesized that there would be limited measurement invariance across groups based on the premise established by CRT that youth of color experience and perceive life differently than their White peers, which was supported. The findings of this study demonstrate that the measures work as expected within groups, but there is a considerable lack of invariance across groups. This study also provides some evidence that racial/ethnic differences cannot be taken for granted when assessing SWB in youth.

Individuals living in public housing communities often experience access issues when it comes to advocating for community resources and services, especially services supporting people with disabilities (Anderson et al., 2021). Research has also pointed to the importance of stakeholder engagement in public housing communities (Mouratidis, 2020). Developing solutions with all stakeholders empowers individuals to help direct available resources towards new opportunities (Browne et al., 2017; Kennedy, 2018). Addressing the needs of diverse communities, including people with disabilities, needs to be in the forefront. There has been a paucity of disability research in a public housing environment. Furthermore, residents with disabilities may face even greater challenges acquiring services and advocating for their needs (Park, Cho, & Chen, 2019). This research employed a quantitative approach to understanding insights from community residents about their perceived needs. The research was conducted to understand the needs of residents with and without disabilities. For residents with disabilities, the programs that were ranked highest include: developing community projects, building age-focused programs, and addressing health related services. These findings offer suggestions for future programming, policies, and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to examine the direct and indirect associations between school size and parents' perceptions of the invitations for involvement provided by their children's school in a school system that has actively attempted to reduce the negative effects of school size. Using data from the New York Public Schools' annual Learning Environment Survey, path analysis was used to examine the role that school climate plays in mediating the relationship between school size and parents' perceptions of invitations for involvement. Results from an analysis of middle and high school parents who participated in the annual school survey provided evidence that parents' perceptions of safety and of respect from the school mediated the relationship between school size and perceptions of the extent of the invitations for involvement provided by the school. The indirect effect of school size via perception of safety and respect was larger than the direct effect of school size on parents' perceptions of invitation for involvement. (Contains 3 figures and 2 tables.)

Social workers responsible for developing rape prevention programs on college campuses must have valid evaluation instruments. This article presents the challenges encountered by the authors when they attempted to keep rape myth measures relevant to student populations by updating the language to reflect the subtleties involved with rape myths. The development of a modified version of the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale is described. Focus groups were conducted to gather feedback about the language used by college students related to sexual encounters and rape. The instrument was then tested with 951 undergraduate students at a large northeastern university. Exploratory structural equation modeling was used to assess the factor structure of the scale. In addition, multiple-indicators multiple-causes modeling was used to assess the potential differential item functioning of the measure's items by gender, previous experience with sexual assault prevention programming, and knowing someone who was sexually assaulted. A four-factor structure was hypothesized and a five-factor structure supported, indicating a separate factor that looks at alcohol and accountability. Implications for social workers are discussed, including the necessity of continuously updating rape myth measures to ensure validity.

Incorporating residents' voices in needs assessments and decision-making activities affecting public housing initiatives is supported by various research. This approach of increasing communal empowerment and growth informed a needs and assets assessment to support an urban community center servicing ethnically and culturally diverse public housing residents. This study employed qualitative methods to gather insights from focus group participants about their perceived needs of the community. The data gathered from the focus groups provided an opportunity for community voices to expand on understanding the assets and needs of the community. The five themes that emerged in the focus group discussion were: (1) Yearning for home and community; (2) Appreciation for diversity; (3) Conditions supporting human dignity; (4) Continual growth of programs & affordability; and (5) Emphasis on trust. These insights support the importance of including community voice for future programming, policies, and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates the implementation of the supplemental educational services provision of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). The policy embodied in the NCLB allows students attending failing schools the option of transferring to another public school or receiving supplemental educational services outside of the regular school day. These supplemental educational services are intended to increase academic achievement of students in low-performing schools. But there are failures in implementing the services. For one, student participation is low. Other problems include incomplete provider list and gaps in service delivery in rural districts.