Documents the multicultural children's literature preferences of low-ability African and Hispanic American fifth graders. Finds that while the African American students showed a strong preference for culturally conscious (authentic) literature, the Hispanic American students rated these books less favorably. (RS)

The term self-worth protection describes a tendency on the part of certain students to underachieve and at other times to perform well on academic tasks of similar difficulty. The development and maintenance of self-worth protection may be attributed to messages implicit in unproductive evaluative feedback used by teachers. (SLD)

Determines the efficacy of a structured reading intervention program with adolescents identified as evidencing significant reading underachievement. Suggests that implementation of the "LANGUAGE!" intervention program was effective in significantly improving reading comprehension and spelling, word recognition for students in grades 7 and 10, and…

Describes some steps school districts can take to meet student achievement standards of the No Child Left Behind Act. Includes using the "Bully Pulpit," employing standards to reshape instruction, providing a rigorous curriculum aligned with standards, providing extra instruction for students who need it, and assigning the better…

Describes an intervention program to provide extra writing instruction to seventh-grade struggling readers. Discusses characteristics of these struggling writers and compares it to other research that involved low-achieving students. Notes how teachers developed the program using authentic writing activities together with structured lessons about…

Findings are examined from studies published from 1980 to the present concerning the effects of peer tutoring on mathematics performance. Findings indicate the effectiveness of peer tutoring in promoting significant cognitive gains for both the tutor and the tutee with populations of low achievers, mildly handicapped, or socially disadvantaged…

Describes a literature-based reading program with an instructional component that enables teachers to provide the necessary support in reading, writing, and response as urban, low achieving students engage in conversation about books. Describes in detail the discussion of one "book club" group of students during a unit in a fifth-grade…

Compares the academic achievements of black students at three of the nation's highest-ranked colleges and universities: Amherst College, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Virginia. Preliminary and tentative results suggest that blacks may be closing the academic performance gap between blacks and whites. (SLD)

Study examined the perceptions and coping behaviors of low-skilled sixth graders in physical education. Interview and field observation data indicated that students used several strategies to cope with repeated failure (avoiding the task, remaining silent, acting out, and trying to execute skills in the face of classmate criticism). (SM)

This article summarizes the educational rights of homeless children and youth afforded by the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act and describes the educational problems they confront, including academic underachievement and poor school attendance. Factors exacerbating the outcomes of homelessness are outlined. (SLD)

Offers summaries of three proven programs (Reading Recovery, Success for All, and Accelerated Schools) for accelerating the reading and writing progress of low-achieving, low-income children. Provides addresses for more information. (SR)

The relationship between scores on the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT) and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children--Revised (WISC-R) was studied for 13 white and 27 African-American academically deficient male adolescent delinquents. Results support use of the K-BIT as a screening instrument and the WISC-R as a follow-up or comprehensive…

Data on the testing practices of 14 of the largest school districts in America indicate how schools inflate their test scores by excluding low-achieving students. Exclusion makes comparison among school districts and states virtually impossible. For children who are excluded, being left out of tests starts a cycle of bad education that ultimately…

Describes program created in junior high school setting to help students who had achieved poorly for a variety of reasons. Focuses on the program that articulates both group guidance and group counseling in a structured format with low-achieving ninth grade students. Discusses evaluation of program and success as intervention with low-achieving…

To reverse African-American youngsters' low achievement pattern, one Maryland middle school initiated the African-American Student Achievement Program. Plan devised strategies to improve African-American students' academic achievement, school participation, and academic self-esteem. Activities include homework club, MESA (Math, Engineering, and…