A program was implemented in the Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Public Schools to provide screening, identification, and programming for primary-level gifted students from culturally diverse and economically disadvantaged populations. The program's objectives include field testing recommended practices, developing appropriate identification procedures,…

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)

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)

Since the early 1960s, Project Follow Through has used psychologists to develop effective educational models for economically disadvantaged children. The successful utilization of psychologists has implications for two central issues: roles for such professionals in social intervention research, and future uses of planned variation and sponsorship…

Cognitive and academic behaviors promoted by an ongoing, long-term Direct Instruction preschool project for poverty level children (N=109) are described. Children who received two years of training achieved at substantially higher normative levels than children trained for only one year and this advantage continued in first and second grades.…

Discusses educational reform at three New England elementary schools. It examines one school's exploration of new organization and leadership ideas, another school's efforts to improve the educational quality of ethnic and minority students, and another's increase in parental involvement by means of a family center. (GLR)

This paper cites reasons to be optimistic and to be concerned about the creative potential of at-risk and disadvantaged students. Reasons for optimism include the wide distribution of creative potential, the significant role played by motivation in creative performances, and the diverse expression of creativity. Reasons for concern include the…

IN A DISCUSSION OF THE RICHMOND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEMONSTRATION PROJECT FOR TRAINING SUBPROFESSIONALS, THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES OF THE PROJECT ARE DISCUSSED--(1) RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION OF PERSONNEL, AND (2) BASIC, INSERVICE, AND OTHER TRAINING PROCEDURES. THE PROJECT TRAINS LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS FOR SUBPROFESSIONAL JOBS IN THE POLICE…

THE EFFECTIVE TEACHER OF THE DISADVANTAGED MUST POSSESS, FIRST OF ALL, THE QUALITIES DISTINGUISHING A GOOD TEACHER IN ANY SCHOOL IN OUR SOCIETY, AND AT THE SAME TIME, HE MUST BE COGNIZANT OF THOSE DIFFERING VALUES WHICH SEPARATE THE DISADVANTAGED SUB-CULTURE FROM THE MAINSTREAM OF OUR SOCIAL STRUCTURE. AN EFFECTIVE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM CAN…

This review of the literature looks at family influences on the achievement of economically disadvantaged youth, with an emphasis on relationships among families, academic achievement, and gifted education. Theoretical perspectives on the study of families have focused primarily on families as static systems and families as dynamic systems and,…

This study examines the impact of 2 professional learning community (PLC) classroom practices on the English Language Arts achievement of California's most at-risk subgroups between selected higher- and lower-performing elementary schools in a southern California school district. The conclusions from this study agree with the body of research,…

A survey of current research on disadvantaged students (defined as children of unassimilated lowest class Negroes, Puerto Ricans, American Indians, Mexican Americans, and Caucasians) provides classroom teachers with concise and up-to-date summaries of educational research findings and their implications for teaching. Discussions presented cover…

The first paper describes The Los Angeles Free Clinic and its services, which are specifically designed to respond to the needs of low-income and homeless youth within the community. The paper describes a free-of-charge, free-of-judgment comprehensive response system that exists because of collaboration with other health facilities such as…

This book examines, via a case study involving fifth, sixth, and seventh graders: (1) the struggle of teaching literacy in a racially divided society, (2) the importance of story and storytelling in the educational process, and (3) how storytelling is an interactive experience for both the teller and listener. In addition, the book reveals how…

Addresses the need for teachers in socioeconomically disadvantaged schools to change classroom practice. Examines the disparity between home and school environments, using critical social theory. Describes curriculum negotiation as an active, relevant process, focusing on creating classroom environments that empower students. Discusses the skills…