The alternate program at McBride School was an organizational and curricular modification that offered optional activities, community recreation, semestering of some subjects, and unstructured time. It involved four intermediate grade classes. Questionnaires were distributed to students who were enrolled in the alternate program and to their…

SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR CULTURALLY DIFFERENT AND DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN IN THE BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE DISCUSSED. SPECIAL EMPHASIS IS GIVEN TO THE BASAL READING PROGRAM IN WHICH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN WITH DISADVANTAGED BACKGROUNDS, HIGH MOBILITY, AND LOW ASPIRATIONS HAVE BEEN TAUGHT TO READ AT OR ABOVE GRADE LEVELS. IN THIS PROGRAM CHILDREN…