Presents evidence that high-quality early childhood programs can partially offset negative effects of childhood poverty and produce modest but definite benefits in children's education and early adult socioeconomic experience. Contrasts different types of early childhood programs and favors those focusing on child-initiated learning. (RH)

Children (N=567) in two cohorts were stratified by birthweight into groups of very low birthweight, low birthweight, and normal birthweight. Children were then tracked into the school system to determine educational achievement as an outcome measure. The distribution of handicaps is analyzed, and estimated relative risk ratios are presented.…

Discusses the importance of developing disadvantaged children's background knowledge by using prereading strategies which focus on the text's central ideas. Suggests several guidelines for choosing prereading strategies. (MM)

Describes the One to One program, which mobilizes communities to support mentoring, pioneers new mentoring approaches, and leverages resources by taking a business approach; leveraging support from diverse sectors; creating a partnership of catalysts; capitalizing on diversity; helping communities think and achieve big; reaching hard-to-reach…

An action research approach was used to evaluate a nontraditional gifted identification technique for disadvantaged students. Fourth-grade students selected by a whole classroom "tryout" technique participated in the Future Problem Solving component of the talented and gifted curriculum with students selected by traditional means. Analysis showed…

This article summarizes the educational rights of homeless children and youth afforded by the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act and describes the educational problems they confront, including academic underachievement and poor school attendance. Factors exacerbating the outcomes of homelessness are outlined. (SLD)

The Nativity Mission School in Manhattan's Lower East Side offers an alternative to public schools for poor immigrant families unable to afford tuition in local Catholic Schools, preparing students to transfer to Catholic high schools and college. Features small classes, committed teachers, extended school day/year and scholarships for graduates.…

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)

Presents case studies of four troubled young people in the correctional system after participation in adventure courses. Case studies show that, although troubled youth may leave an adventure course with positive behaviors and good intentions, poor family interactions and negative community environments made youth unable to sustain the positive…

Discusses the development of public schools as centers for social and health services. Identifies the at-risk population and describes a variety of intervention programs. Envisions a comprehensive, centralized scheme at the city or county level to serve the needs of disadvantaged students and their families. (DM)

This paper considers opposing viewpoints on usefulness of the classification of "street children" in an international context and proposes a working compromise based on a hierarchy of street use, from minimal to total dependency on the streets. Different types of education/welfare intervention are needed at these different levels. (DB)

A Chapter 1 school motivated students using technology and the arts. A partnership with the Pennsylvania Academy of the Arts helped students develop cognitive and creative skills while working in concrete ways. Using computers, each class chose an artist, developed a class museum, and exhibited at the student-staffed museum. (SM)

Describes a program of research known as "Fostering Communities of Learners" that aims to improve the literacy skills and domain-area subject matter knowledge of inner-city students aged 6 to 12 years. The program builds on children's emergent strategic and metacognitive knowledge. (SLD)

The impact of Student Support Services (SSS), a large federal program to help disadvantaged students complete college, on retention in college was studied with approximately 2,800 SSS participants and similar nonparticipants. SSS had a positive impact for the three measures of retention used, but the impact varied with services used and student…

Uses the experience of a project working with unaccompanied refugee minors from Albania to England to describe the circumstances of these immigrants. Experience suggests that those in mainstream schools have the best chance of building a life in England. Support should be provided to ensure education and social services for these students. (SLD)