Deviations in children's mental test performance were studied for children of 169 disadvantaged mothers at 24, 48, and 96 months to determine whether aspects of the child rearing environment predicted the deviations from expected values. Relationships between aspects of the environment, child intelligence, and child characteristics are discussed.…

Argues that librarians must strive to unlock people's minds from an early age with the power of the printed word, and urges them to be active advocates for children, to speak out for children's rights to read, to become educated, and to succeed. It is suggested that librarians mobilize through involvement in professional associations. (SD)

Describes how an archdiocesan education foundation developed a program promoting school choice for low-income Milwaukee families. Tuition grants provide access to alternative educational opportunities through the support of businesses and foundations. (LWL)

Discusses a tutoring project employing student teachers in a rural residential school for the socioeconomically disadvantaged in Israel. Pupils were asked to write about their experiences with tutors. Evaluators found that pupils appreciated the sympathetic companionship of tutors close in age to themselves. (DM)

Describes an elementary school six years after it adopted the Comer process, an educational philosophy promoting ongoing collaboration among parents, teachers, and administrators to do what is best for student learning and development. Consensus whenever possible and open expression of feelings and issues builds professionalism and community.…

Project Step-Up (Systematic Training of Educational Programs for Underserved Pupils) locates children from minority, economically disadvantaged populations with high potential in Texas, Arkansas, Florida, and Arizona and then uses a teaching approach that emphasizes critical thinking, vocabulary building, self-esteem strengthening, problem…

Interviews with homeless people in east Tennessee reveal how they came to be homeless and the problems encompassing homelessness. Most did not develop the sense of home that is formed early in life in stable families and that contributes to formation of self-concept. (LP)

Examines historical precedents for removing poor children from their families, reviews relevant experiences of Native Americans, and analyzes child placement through the lens of poverty. The role of the federal government in child protection is examined by comparing the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act.…

Last summer, 400 elementary school students from rural Athens County, Ohio, spent six weeks attending a day program at Ohio University. Originally intended to feed poor children during the summer, the program now provides tutoring in reading, math, and computers, as well as enrichment activities and swimming. Parent aides can take one university…

Explains how one New Orleans (LA) school is making a positive difference in a low-income community by serving as the community's focal point and providing the community access to a public library, computers, and a learning center. Highlights the development of the Greater New Orleans Education Foundation and its assessment process, designed to…

Studied factors contributing to the academic achievement of nine high-achieving urban female students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Findings demonstrate the importance of a community of achievement created by these students within their school and the importance of parental expectations. (SLD)

Uses a causal model to understand the direct and mediated effects of neighborhood disadvantage and family structure on youth expectations. Demonstrates that the employment expectations of adolescents are significantly lower in both nonintact and welfare homes in comparison to youth in other households. Discusses implications for social policy in…

Discusses the history of welfare reform and the different approaches used in several states. Describes multiple models that have emerged in community colleges, including short-term training programs, open entry/exit programs or alternative entry dates, classes offered at unconventional times, company-specific programs, case-management strategies,…

Presents a case study of the "Coleman family" to examine support for literacy within an economically disadvantaged family, in which the child learned to value literacy and learned how to read very well despite the limited literacy abilities of the mother. Discusses ways teachers might help parents to support literacy growth at home and at school.…

A six-week university library intern program sponsored by the Job Training Partnership Act investigated the impact of 12 economically disadvantaged high school students working at Grambling State University (Louisiana). Interns succeeded, learned skills later described on their resumes and job application letters, and gained self-esteem and job…