The education establishment's approach to set Chapter 1 standards at or near the legislative minimum for program improvement has unanticipated outcomes that do not advance the improvement effort. These outcomes and the dilemma between the negative aspects of being identified and the positive objective of program improvement are considered. (SLD)

The Chapter 1 supplementary education program is popular with Congress, benefiting from increased appropriations since 1988. The 1988 amendments of the Hawkins Stafford Act improved the program, but further changes may have to take place at the 1993 reauthorization to make Chapter 1 relevant to accelerating educational reform. (SLD)

The history of federal support of supplementary education for low-achieving children in low-income neighborhoods demonstrates the positive, although not statistically significant, impact of Chapter 1 and the Hawkins Stafford amendments and predecessors. Issues that must be considered in reauthorizing Chapter 1 in 1993 are discussed. (SLD)