Describes deficiencies in the Ball-Bogatz evaluation of Sesame Street" and suggests that this program might increase rather than decrease the deficit for disadvantaged children. (JF)

Recent release of "Prospects," a national evaluation of Chapter 1/Title I ($7.2 billion federal program for disadvantaged elementary-school students), has questioned effectiveness of entire program. However, 1994 Title I reauthorization allows high-poverty schools to turn their dollars into markedly better achievement by adopting…

Research suggests that children living in poverty show progressively lower test scores as they age. The Abecedarian research project contrasted a birth-to-age-five intervention program with a school-grade intervention program. When given IQ and achievement tests at various ages, children who had received preschool treatment consistently outscored…

Research on compensatory education from 1965 to 1975 questioned whether such programs improved academic performance. Subsequent studies, however, have found compensatory education generally effective and have identified such components of successful basic skills instruction as greater time on task and more parental involvement. (PB)