To a large extent, quality education depends on the availability of teachers who inspire students to overcome academic or economic disadvantages. This article raises questions about the importance of leadership style of teachers of disadvantaged vocational students. (Author)

Describes an energy education project aimed at limited-resource families in Oklahoma. Program delivery was accomplished through mailed flyers, public meetings, and individualized instruction. Educational materials covered housing structure modification and behavior change. The "Choctaw Project" was judged to be a success. (CT)

An evaluation of 14 independent experiments in early intervention, conducted in the late 1950s and early 1960s, revealed program characteristics related to positive outcome: the early age at intervention; the higher adult-child ratio; and more home visits, direct participation of parents, and services for families. (Author/MLF)

Discusses programer job training programs, designed to give the knowledge, skills, and effective job experience required for placement in entry level business programing jobs, to chronically unemployed, low-income adults who lack marketable skills, but demonstrate the intelligence, competence, motivation, and temperament required to do…

Argues that the biggest obstacle to urban education reform is the unwillingness of educators to discuss the impact of increased racial and ethnic segregation on student achievement. Poverty is discussed, but not race. (PKP)

Synthesizes studies of the effects of modifying the academic calendar in grades K-12 to do away with the long summer break without increasing the length of the school year. Findings show that evidence on such modification is weak, but that modified calendars are associated with higher achievement for economically disadvantaged students. (SLD)

Studies the relationship between Chinese beliefs about adversity and psychological well-being in 229 economically disadvantaged families. Results showed that adolescents with stronger endorsement for positive Chinese beliefs about adversity generally displayed better psychological well-being and school adjustment and less problem behavior.…

Examines the 1880s era of female volunteer instructors who made it their mission to teach art to the poor. Focuses on the contributions of the Home Arts and Industries Association as an example. Describes multiple benefits that this organization provided. (KDR)

Using a sample of 30 African American adolescents, explores the relationship between self-esteem and participation in a supportive prenatal care program designed specifically for this age group. Findings indicate no significant relationship between the overall self-esteem construct and use of prenatal care services. (GR)

To interest multicultural, bilingual teenagers in nursing careers, an 8-week culturally focused summer program integrated life planning, mentorship, nursing assistant training, and college application assistance while providing stipends and scholarship opportunities. Twenty-four economically disadvantaged teenagers completed the program and passed…

Study assesses self-esteem, financial deprivation, number of alternate roles, and use of social support among unemployed participants. Financial deprivation, alternate roles, and social support each had a main effect on self-esteem. In addition, these variables interacted with gender to affect self-esteem. (Contains 76 references and 2 tables.)…

Two years ago Congress passed the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act that provides $5 million a year for state programs to ensure that children are not prevented by bureaucratic or transportation obstacles from obtaining a public education. Although some homeless education plans are helping the children, the funding is inadequate. (MLF)

Reviews current research on Black families headed by a single mother indicating that economic insecurity of Black males is an important causal factor in explaining both the numbers and the impoverishment of this family type. Contends social workers must advocate for policies to assist these groups economically. (Author/ABL)

In October 1994, President Clinton signed into law a substantially modified version of the Improving America's Schools Act (IASA), which extends and amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and related legislation. This article describes Title I LEA grant formulas before the 1994 amendments, major criticisms of these formulas, and an…