This paper describes procedures that resulted in a 90 percent return in a random sample survey of inner-city youth. Included are: selection of interview sites; recordkeeping; call-backs; techniques for dealing with reluctant interviewees; and composition of interview teams, including sex and ethnic matching with sample members. (SJL)

Proposes that metropolitan colleges be established to give disadvantaged inner city youth the cultural experiences that they would not otherwise have. The metropolitan college is seen "as an institution whose central purpose is the education of young people by any and all means necessary." (Author/JM)

Shares the perspectives of a black parent, herself a teacher at a school founded by the Black Panthers, whose daughter was educated in the public schools of Oakland (California) and Kalamazoo (Michigan) between 1986 and 1996. Many negative experiences, some centered around language, are described. (SLD)

Studied the relationship between racial socialization and racial identity attitudes in 287 low-income inner-city African American adolescents. Results suggest that beliefs in various types of racial socialization differentially contribute to positive psychological outcomes for adolescents. Gender differences are discussed, and a cultural…

This discussion of issues in the mentoring of African-American youth defines mentoring, identifies elements of successful mentoring, stresses the importance of recognizing existing family and community assets, and urges parental involvement and a program philosophy which affirms the value of resiliency in children surviving in difficult…

Explored the educational experiences of 21 academically successful women who were disadvantaged as children. Results indicate that resilient women who had endured stress as children often developed a highly advanced level of "emotional intelligence" or "interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence." Presents educational strategies for encouraging…

As educators work to pull together the various components of the Improving America's Schools Act, they must not lose sight of its central purpose, increasing children's learning. Guidance and assistance for low-achieving students must accompany a mind-set of higher expectations for achievement. (SLD)

Describes the 21st Century Program at the University of Michigan, a program to address issues of academic achievement and student retention in higher education. The conceptual basis for this program comes from C. Steele's work that finds that there are disruptive pressures tied to racial stereotypes that in turn diminish academic performance. (SLD)

Presents preliminary results from a study of 1,200 inner-city Catholic elementary schools serving low-income communities. Describes institutional characteristics, specific services offered, and affiliations with other educational institutions and local organizations. Discusses possible follow-up studies and future work in helping principals in…

Strategies for supporting immigrant students include providing opportunities for self-expression, ensuring that all students see themselves reflected in the curriculum, providing translation for key events and documents, having teachers and staff that reflect student cultures, maintaining first-language skills, making special efforts to…

A camp for Los Angeles (California) children traumatized by war, community violence, and hatred gives them time to heal and feel safe. The camp's theme of reconciliation and nonviolence is expressed by an all-volunteer staff through community, teamwork, and cooperation. Nature's diversity is used to show how diverse groups can interact, thrive,…

Children of migrant farmworkers face many obstacles (poverty, geographic and cultural isolation, discrimination, language minority status, and mobility). Congress established the Title I Migrant Education Program to enable them to meet the same standards as other children. States that oversee Title I migrant education programs have created…

Challenges common conceptions about disadvantaged learners, curriculum challenge and sequence, teacher role, the relationship of classroom management to academic work, and ability grouping arrangements. By striking a balance between teacher direction and learner responsibility, students' capacity for self-regulated learning increases over time.…

Path analysis examined effects of tutor-tutee ethnic similarity (ES), tutor expertise, and perceived goal attainment (PGA) on the satisfaction of 425 college student tutors of disadvantaged elementary school students. The major influence on satisfaction was tutors' PGA; ES had an indirect impact and expertise had direct and indirect effects. (SLD)

Describes outdoor leadership training program for disadvantaged children at Holiday Home Camp, Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Describes program objectives, progress levels, training courses, and activities. Describes grade-level training process. Program designed to help inner-city youth find sense of pride and self-esteem while improving life skills.…