Presents eight case studies of lawyers who work for legal aid societies or provide free legal services to poor people. Includes quotes by the attorneys describing specific cases and why they became involved in providing free legal counsel. (CFR)

This study is a careful review and analysis of recent official statistics and academic studies about children and poverty in the United Kingdom. Kumar fully and succinctly identifies the link between increasing child poverty and economic, demographic, and policy changes and the greater risks of children from ethnic minorities. (SLD)

The movement to reform the Chicago (Illinois) public schools faces a host of problems in the classroom and a sea of social ills outside the classroom. Without support from the African American community and largely cut off from the reform process, neither significant progress nor progressive change can be made. (SLD)

Although all African-American children are educable, parent involvement significantly affects their children's educational success. Dilemmas that constrain parental educational choice and involvement with children's learning create barriers to mobilization for expansion of high quality educational programs to greater segments of this population.…

Since 1984, a dynamic headmaster has transformed economically disadvantaged Bhekuzulu High School into the best Black school in South Africa, using educational strategies that raise academic standards, emphasize pride in Zulu identity, teach about apartheid and students' role in its destruction, and adapt educational technology to Zulu…

An alternative approach to Chapter 1 accountability is proposed that would reward schools for reducing the number of students who fail to meet minimum standards on appropriate tests. Program improvement services would be increased and made available to all Chapter 1 schools. (SLD)

Adolescents have no prepared, appreciated, approved place in society, so they tackle identity formation and development of self-worth and self-efficacy on their own. Society must change its view that youth are troubled or harmful and instead provide opportunities for meaningful roles for adolescents, particularly those without many years of formal…

Examines the interconnections between African Americans residing in deteriorating urban areas and the broader U.S. society. Focuses on the orientations of 10 men and 10 women in Detroit (Michigan). Interviews with participants suggest a dialectic in which they are both connected to and disconnected from mainstream society. (SLD)

Describes a study of the effects of a summer bridge program on the academic, personal, and social development of underrepresented and low-income transfer students at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Tracks 1988 entering Transfer Summer Program students for their first two quarters at UCLA. (DMM)

Traditional measures indicating little net change in long-term poverty for children between the late 1960s and the early 1980s mask certain statistical and demographic changes. A rise in female-based households, fewer well-paying jobs for younger workers, and greater dependence on social assistance have offset smaller family sizes and parental…

To bring achievement scores up to the national average, it will be necessary to restructure urban schools. Describes the School Development Model and the Accelerated Schools Model. Helping each child to succeed, forming school and family partnerships, participant training, and principals' and administrators' support are all part of successful…

Reviews research related to the problem of disadvantaged children. Finds situational, geographical, and familial continuities mentioned along with factors of socioeconomic class and maternal disadvantaged biology. Observes studies show that many of the disadvantaged are able to overcome early difficulties. Concentrates on protective cultural…

Community-based medical education is key to training physicians to work in needy fields such as outpatient care and health care for the medically underserved. Describes the disadvantages of traditional medical school curricula and presents sample community health curricula now being used. Suggests ways to increase medical students' awareness of…

Santa Fe Community College (Florida) has used computerized adaptive testing with students placed in developmental reading, writing, and mathematics courses. Computerized adaptive testing utilizes the capabilities of microcomputers to adapt examinations to the abilities of individual students, may be less threatening to students, is preferred by…

Argues that, although the "at-risk" label when applied to African-American students is often appropriate, assumptions of intellectual deficiency attached to the phrase are mistaken. Socioeconomic factors are more likely determinants of the early reading difficulties encountered disproportionately by these students. Suggests strategies…