Evaluates Cornell University's Linking Up mentoring program for needy youngsters. Although the program achieved limited success, some valuable lessons emerged, including the necessity of finding a sufficient supply of suitable mentors, concentrating on youths in need, setting clear mentoring goals, focusing on competence-building activities,…

Describes how to plan and implement intergenerational programs that benefit both students and senior citizens. Seniors can be invited to discuss their hobbies or careers, provide firsthand accounts of historical events in social-studies classes, and work with students on biography or gardening projects. Senior volunteers can also serve as…

Notes that it is not known whether more time spent in school increases children's learning. Suggests that instead of running the "assembly line" for more hours, educators might try a summer program based on enrichment and fun-time activities as an alternative way to discover whether more learning time would be a good investment. An important…

Describes how a neglected Boston middle school transformed itself into an inviting, tree-lined campus with comfortable reading and study areas and an exemplary physical education program. Project Adventure is an intense six-week physical training course that teaches advanced rock-climbing skills. With classmates' encouragement, participants…