Given the strong interest in school-based mentoring programs, Public/Private Ventures visited two exemplary mentoring programs chosen by the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA). One program was in Green County, Oklahoma, and the other in Jacksonville, Florida. Researchers talked with parents, teachers, children, and mentors to learn more…

With sample lesson plans, student assessment forms and rubrics, and other practical materials, this book shows how the principles of the Paideia Program of educational reform can result in more powerful student learning. The chapters are: (1) "Introducing Paideia"; (2) "Didactic Instruction"; (3) "Academic Coaching";…

This case study explores the sustained role the Annie E. Casey Foundation played for more than a decade to help create an environment in which an ambitious and comprehensive effort to improve public education for all children in Kentucky would have the time, resources and attention needed to prove its worth. As the case describes, the sweeping…

As the 39-year-old federal Head Start program once again comes before Congress for reauthorization, several unanswered questions that have dogged the program since its inception should be considered: (1) Does it work? (2) Does it make any difference in the long run? and (3) Will modest changes supported by the Bush Administration gain traction?…

In fiscal year 2004, Congress appropriated $6.8 billion to serve 919,000 poor children through 1,680 Head Start grantees nationwide. Recent reports of financial improprieties at a number of Head Start programs raised questions about the effectiveness of the oversight by the Department of Health and Human Services? (HHS) Administration for Children…

In fiscal year 2004, the Congress appropriated $6.8 billion to serve 919,000 poor children through 1,680 Head Start grantees nationwide. Recent reports of financial improprieties at a number of Head Start programs around the country raised questions about the effectiveness of the oversight provided by the Department of Health and Human Services?…

Proposes a language instruction process, including a diagrammatical presentation of the language process, for use with disadvantaged children as a means of expanding their use of the linguistic system and their range of linguistic experiences. (RB)

Compares several reading models for disadvantaged kindergarten children from rural areas, concluding that there was a significant transfer effect utilizing the part and whole word approach but there were no significant differences between sexes with any method. (RB)

Describes five school programs operating in New Haven involving innercity parents in reading. (RB)

Presents an overview of major programs in higher education directed at helping the disadvantaged, makes a critical assessment of each, makes recommendations for looking into the future, and emphasizes the notion that the educational system is a reflection of the wider social system and conditions that exist. (Author/CJ)

This study compared the self concept and need variables of disadvantaged students: subjects from a continuation school (drop-outs) with 80 subjects (matched for sex, race, and age) who were attending a large inner-city high school. Data indicate that on most of the self concept and need variables there were significant differences between groups.…

Describes an art lab developed as an alternative form of education for inner-city children. (GB)

A description of an experiment in early intervention designed to promote learning in deprived children. Postprogram tests shed light on the nature of gains. (ST)