This paper reviews the evolution of the Program for Disadvantaged Youth since 1988, describes its accomplishments and lessons learned, and suggests new directions for the Program to build on its experiences. The Program for Disadvantaged Youth rejects many of the stereotypes about the needs and abilities of young adolescents, many of which are the…

Institutional racism is responsible for the high Hispanic dropout rate in Michigan. The term "pushout" is more appropriate than "dropout" for these students who are systematically ignored and devalued until they become alienated and leave school. Negative expectations are broadcast to Hispanic American students as soon as they…

This study examined the possibilities that young children's gender elicits differential academic expectations from aspiring teachers, and aspiring teachers' gender and (socioeconomic) SES affect their academic expectations for young children. A questionnaire asked 103 university students majoring in education: (1) how difficult and how interesting…

School failure in elementary school students from low income families has been a serious problem in Brazilian public schools for many years. A number of studies were implemented in an effort to reduce the incidence of school failure. One set of studies focusing on teachers' causal perceptions revealed a combination of socio-economic determinism…

With particular attention given to children under 6 years of age, this discussion identifies issues related to the effects on children of divorce, father absence, and student/teacher interaction. Research relating to these issues is reviewed, and recommendations for teachers are offered. Issues concerning divorce, the duration of separation, the…

Effective schools research has delivered some relatively concrete findings on important issues facing this country's educators. The result has been an extensive collection of effective schooling practices which have potential for increasing performance in young people. In reviewing effective schools literature, implications of the data were found…

This paper presents a research summary on ability grouping and tracking, and makes recommendations to school practitioners on successful alternative strategies to educate children from diverse backgrounds. The research reveals little evidence that ability grouping improves academic achievement, while overwhelming evidence exists that it retards…

This training manual presents information on the relationship between the educational environment and minority student underachievement. The materials presented are designed to assist teachers in establishing positive student-teacher relationships and to create a challenging and friendly classroom climate. The training package, designed to be used…

A study was conducted by the General Accounting Office (GAO) to review U.S. education and training strategies; identify likely weaknesses; and examine the strategies of England, the Federal Republic of Germany, Japan, and Sweden for preparing noncollege youth for employment. GAO reviewed the literature, consulted with experts, and visited the…

Undergraduate students in sociology (N=59) and psychology (N=50) participated in a study at a large midwestern university to determine if the pattern of attributional assignment, expectancy, performance, and perceived success was different in these two groups of undergraduates. Prior to taking the first of three exams each student was asked how…

Research provided information about the magnitude of an individual's enlistment probability and how that probability depends on his personal characteristics, family background, employment situation, and expectations for further education. Analysis focused on male high school seniors and high school graduates. Findings suggested that each segment…

This investigation sought to determine the extent to which examiners' evaluations of writing performance were influenced by the learning disability label and to identify mediating variables which modify expectancy effects. Forty-four preservice regular education teachers were randomly assigned to one of two expectancy conditions (learning-disabled…

Data indicate that although science is required of all students in elementary school, elementary teachers do not usually teach science as a high priority or in a way that enhances student achievement. A myriad of possible causes for existing voids in this teaching process have been suggested by researchers. Teacher belief systems have been…

Studies of how children spend their time in school, how teachers' perceptions and student characteristics affect interactions and the use of time in classrooms, and how the concept of time relates to student achievement were reviewed in preparation for an investigation of the extent to which different groups of children have different learning…

This research examined the nature of the "self-fulfilling prophecy" by investigating how the gradual accumulation of information and the relationship of the source and content of information may affect teachers' perceptions and ratings of trust, social ability, and academic ability of individual students. The study sought to answer two…