A mentoring program for both gifted and nongifted low- or under-achieving students in grades three-six was developed to improve students' academic standing and self-esteem. Mentors and mentees discuss difficulties with school or social relationships, become involved in special projects, etc. The program has also improved bonds among faculty…

The article discusses how the collaborative relationships of classroom, remedial, and special education teachers might be improved to develop specialized reading programs for low achieving and handicapped students. A decision-making framework based on levels of intensity of instruction is offered for the stages of the consultative process.…

Teachers and administrators face three problems when developing programs at the local level for at-risk students: defining "at-risk" for their local district, identifying effective programs, and absorbing the costs of implementation. A six-step process for systematically addressing these problems would urge the schools to: (1) identify the at-risk…

The characteristics of marginal high school students and the social dynamics that create conditions in schools that lead to truancy and eventual dropping out are described as an introduction to a discussion on how to deal with the problem. Guidelines for effective programs for marginal students are delineated, and the activities and scope of six…

This report discusses the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program, an untracking program that places previously low-achieving students in college preparatory classes. The first part of the paper describes the origins of AVID at Clairemont High School in San Diego (California) and its development into a mature program. The students…

With a speech-language pathologist as consultant, volunteers provided language/concept enrichment to 22 kindergarten students who had low screening scores in the areas of articulation, language, and concepts. Microcomputer software programs were used to teach quantity, quality, time/sequence, nouns, and verbs. Teachers felt that 41 percent of the…

This report examines the Chapter 1 program's impact at school and classroom levels, strategic directions for Chapter 1 reauthorization, the larger context of school poverty as it influences Chapter 1 delivery, the operation and effectiveness of Chapter 1, and new directions for improving Chapter 1 in line with national reforms. How well Chapter 1…

This directory was developed in response to requests for information on alternative programs for dropouts and potential dropouts. The scope of the dropout problem in Iowa is defined. Presented are definitions of dropout prevention alternative programs as well as a detailed account of useful prevention approaches. The directory includes needs…