The relationship between specific narrative skills and social class was studied in a culturally and racially homogeneous sample (51 4-year olds), focusing on narratives of economically disadvantaged children. Children from disorganized, chaotic and disadvantaged households were most likely to produce minimal narratives that were poorly planned.…

Surveys the incentives and disincentives that influence men's decisions to participate in the role of father. A proposal is offered as a means of minimizing disincentives and maximizing incentives to increase fathers' support of their children, thereby decreasing child poverty. (GR)

This article describes an ongoing support program in a Head Start program for grandparents who are serving as the primary caretakers of their grandchildren. Information is provided on the program's purpose and goals, the grandparents who attend, how meetings are run, experiences and incidental learning, and the progression of the group. (DB)

This keynote address argues that some efforts of early educational programs have, themselves, led to new risks for children. Issues discussed include the confusion between culture and development, services to poor children and families, and segregating young children with special needs. (JDD)

Used principal-factors extraction with varimax rotation analysis to clarify nature and function of higher-order thinking among minority high school students (n=107) from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Results allowed for specification of mental processes associated with the construct and the extent to which students reported awareness and…

This paper examines problems in accurate assessment of exceptional potential in young children from minority and/or economically disadvantaged settings. Assessment issues are examined in the light of research on developmentally appropriate evaluation of young children. Historical and current practices are reviewed, and two innovative approaches to…

A study compared characteristics of two groups of teachers in Victoria (Australia) schools: those teaching in the Disadvantaged Schools Program (n=576) and those in nonprogram schools (n=596). Results indicated the importance of workplace relationships in both groups and pointed to some differences in curriculum, pedagogy, and student…

Critiques Henry Levin's "Economics of Educational Choice" essay for confining discussion to a constrained, regulated voucher type of market system. Insists that public school/voucher systems involve significant welfare costs associated with tax collection and presents five other itemized responses to Levin. (four references) (MLH)

A Javits Grant Project of the Montgomery County (Maryland) Public Schools uncovers the strengths and gifts of traditionally underserved primary-level gifted children. The program design celebrates the multiple intelligences of children with economic disadvantage, limited English ability, or learning disabilities. (JDD)

Summarizes a national study to determine whether U.S. school children, particularly those in disadvantaged metropolitan districts, experienced negative repercussions from the decentralization of federal resources, a structural-adjustment type of policy. Results showed that federal disinvestment in education adversely affected children in the…

A study of school achievement and student-income data for 54 Wichita (Kansas) Public Schools over three years revealed six "breakthrough" elementary schools with above-average achievement and proportions of poor students. These schools shared three characteristics: positive school climate, smaller school size, and structural leadership…

Focuses on environmental issues that affect learning disabilities and provides a rationale for learning disabilities as a public health and economic-risk issue. The link between learning disabilities and poverty and the impact of low birth weight and lead poisoning are discussed. Action steps are provided. (CR)

How can high schools counteract deterrents to achievement that disadvantaged students face? "Project P-BLISS: Problem-Based Learning in the Social Sciences" presents "hidden" disadvantaged gifted students with a curriculum that first captures their interest and challenges them to realize their true potential. (MLH)

Asks three questions relating level of academic achievement and level of relative deprivation experienced by various groups of adolescents in Latvia to self-concept. Finds that while differences associated with differential achievement exist across a wide range of self-evaluation measures, the measures of deprivation did not show an equivalent…

Explains the importance of the "excellence with decency" concept for educators and the children and families they serve through a first-person account of one teacher's experience with National Coalition schools. This experience helped renew the teacher's faith in educational leaders' ability to help all children learn well and the public…