Many states have implemented or expanded state-funded prekindergarten programs in the last decade, encouraged by claims about the benefits that can be expected and the importance of early experiences for children's development, especially for economically disadvantaged children. However, there is remarkably little methodologically adequate…

With the increasing disparity in educational outcomes among economically and racially different groups of students, summer school has received attention from school reformers as a means to close the achievement gap. Given the interest in this topic by educators, researchers, and policymakers, there is little research on the impact of summer school…

Describes an evaluation of a summer career awareness workshop program for economically disadvantaged youth. The evaluation found that three-fourths of the 96 participants reported that as a result of the three-day workshop, they were closer to making a career decision. (CT)

This report presents findings stemming from the first-year evaluation of the Texas Educator Excellence Grant (TEEG) program, one of several statewide performance incentive programs in Texas. In June 2006, Governor Perry and the 79th Texas Legislature created the Governor's Educator Excellence Award Program, one component of which is the TEEG…

This paper provides an overview of the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation, an organization that sponsors studies of the efficacy of intervention in the early years of development, especially with economically disadvantaged children. Using several High/Scope Foundation studies to illustrate its points, the paper examines issues common to…

This testimony of the President of Public/Private Ventures (PPV) in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) is on the subject of designing effective youth services programs, particularly in light of the PPV's experience with its program, Summer Training and Education Program (STEP). Following a description of the background for this and similar programs, the…

This book is intended to assist literacy program administrators, coordinators, instructors, and volunteers in the design and implementation of literacy programs for homeless adults. Chapter 1 discusses barriers to instruction when serving homeless adults, including shelter environment, impermanence of location and opportunity, and the effects of…

Describes two-generation programs and how they differ from earlier single-focus approaches to serve children and families. Results from six programs are reviewed and indicate mixed and modest success in promoting the development of children and improving the parenting skills and economic self-sufficiency of parents. Recommendations are presented…

This report presents findings from the second-year evaluation of the Governor's Educator Excellence Grant (GEEG) program. The GEEG program was federally- and state-funded and provided three-year grants to schools to design and implement performance pay plans from the 2005-06 to 2007-08 school years. GEEG was implemented in 99 high poverty, high…

An interim report on the congressionally mandated National Study of Student Support Services (SSS) focuses on the characteristics of college freshmen program participants and on the level and type of services they receive. The federally funded grant program is designed to help economically disadvantaged students achieve success at the…

This paper describes state, institutional, and other community-based programs deemed exemplary (on the basis of design imperatives) for successful interventions to promote meaningful access of minority group youth to postsecondary education. The imperatives include early intervention, comprehensive and integrated intervention, intervention…

Continuing erosion of the structure of low-income families perpetuates a vicious cycle of moral and economic troubles--poverty, drug and alcohol dependency, out-of-wedlock births, child and spouse abuse, juvenile delinquency, and crime--that feed on and create more impaired families. Accordingly, this report contends that the major portion of the…

According to a 1981 study, the Life Skills Program that was developed by Saskatchewan New Start over a decade ago is still very much needed to improve the life situation of economically disadvantaged adults. At present, the overall rationale for the Life Skills Program is contained in collections of articles written at successive stages of program…

This guide is designed to help school staff plan effective summer programs for disadvantaged children by offering an array of ideas for designing exciting and stimulating summer programs and offering important information from research and practice on what makes an effective summer program. If schools are to expect excellence from disadvantaged…

The Low Socioeconomic Status and Minority Student Achievement Study is designed to investigate the overall impact of the Austin Independent School District's programs on low socioeconomic status (SES) and minority students' achievement and school leaver rates. This evaluation is designed to monitor low SES and minority student achievement on…