A detailed and critical analysis of the evaluation of the Follow Through program is presented. The history, critical decisions, and politics of the evaluation are examined. (JKS)

Examines the response of a large racially mixed urban California school community to the tension between excellence and equity in public education and describes how 319 African American students experienced school reform, including detracking. Findings indicate the potential of detracking for real educational improvement. (SLD)

Funds from Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and its successive amendments provide school districts with the means to help children who are often served last, those in high poverty schools. Homeless, migrant, neglected, and delinquent children are among those to whom Title I can give a voice. (SLD)

Attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and classroom practices of 476 teachers in 24 urban and suburban elementary schools were assessed with teacher questionnaires and observation. Teachers serving students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds put more emphasis on teacher authority and control and were more doubtful of student abilities. (SLD)

Stratification and control by a dominant group leave many African American youth feeling powerless, alienated, and angry. A justice-based model of therapy focuses on self-efficacy, personal mastery, competent adaptive behavior, and community-building. The model supports resilience and the group process, and encourages advocating for justice-based…

Explored the perceptions of two groups of preservice teachers enrolled in special education courses following field experiences with culturally and economically diverse learners. Survey data indicated that many of the respondents' positive perceptions related to successes that they experienced in teaching diverse learners. Results highlight the…

Discusses the growth in four interrelated groups that bear on the school's relationship to the community: elderly citizens, school-age children, nontraditional families, and the underclass of impoverished children. Suggests that schools target business, the elderly, and parents as publics that will offer future support. (MS)

This study investigated differences among intellectually gifted students of junior high age participating in full-time intensive programs for the gifted. Findings indicated some differences based on ethnicity and gender, but most differences were observed between lower and higher socioeconomic groups, particularly for social support and social and…

Describes a study of the literacy and numeracy experiences of two- and three-year olds from disadvantaged homes, as they occurred in Scottish day nursery schools. Found that numeracy experiences occurred less frequently than literacy experiences. Variation between the nurseries showed consistent patterns between variables relating to staff…

Using multilevel methods to analyze data from 710 household heads in 45 Detroit (Michigan) area school districts, results show that minority and disadvantaged respondents, especially from the city, favor parental school choice. Potential effects of an interdistrict choice plan are discussed, suggesting that choice might favor inequities. (SLD)

School reform efforts at one ungraded elementary school were evaluated using classroom-based assessment tasks. Students at risk due to disadvantagement tended to perform better than students receiving special education services on reading and written expression tasks. Letter-sound knowledge and reading fluency differentiated between students who…

Reports the rationale, objectives, tools, and achievements of Project Motivation, which helps disadvantaged primary school children in Delhi, India, to develop required competencies through a child-to-child approach. Middle-grade children were oriented to work with the younger children, and these older children developed a positive self-concept…

Summarizes two studies concerning successful intervention strategies for disadvantaged youth and homeless children. Implications for camps involve developing partnerships with parents, teachers, and communities; increasing campers' problem-solving skills; providing positive role models; helping campers feel safe; and increasing campers'…

Offers an overview of the position of African-American males, the problems they face, and the consequences for the nation and the African-American community. Looks at underclass status, racism, joblessness, national demographic changes, low educational expectations, intermarriage rates, participation in higher education, and career achievement.…

Provides an overview of school choice strategies. Examines the possible impact of choice on African American and poor children. Reviews recently passed Wisconsin legislation that allows for state-funded private school choice for a selected number of poor and minority children, thus addressing the needs of educationally disenfranchised groups. (AF)