Discusses the distinctive features of the University of Oregon's Direct Instruction Model program, designed for disadvantaged youngsters--its underlying assumptions and basic teaching components. Explores the implications of teaching reading and language skills to economically disadvantaged children and advocates vocabulary instruction be taught…

Describes Dolci's most recent project, an experimental school for children of the peasant community in Partinico, in western Sicily. In no other place in Italy is public education available to children on a full-time basis. (Author/AM)

In a comparison of expressive language in different settings, 20 economically disadvantaged students in a Head Start program were divided into four groups: single-object picture, toy, multi-object picture, and adult-child conversation. (CL)

An intervention study investigated effects of maternal behavior on the cognitive and language functioning of economically disadvantaged four-year-olds (N=40) at risk for mental retardation. Mothers who increased inductive, responsive, and complex behavior and mothers who increased only inductive and responsive behavior both effectively increased…

Describes three approaches to combatting the high illiteracy rates among adults: (1) working early with children who are poor readers or nonreaders, (2) improving adult literacy programs, and (3) training adult educators to teach lifelong learning along with reading skills. (CH)

Considers the research base and political forces guiding the direction of the movement toward enrolling four-year-olds in academic programs: (1) remedial intervention programs for economically disadvantaged children; (2) need for change in decaying school programs; and (3) the urgent need for increased day care services. (Author/LHW)

Discusses developing adequate educational opportunities for culturally disadvantaged, gifted students. Addresses questions of how these students can be effectively identified; what constitutes a high quality educational program for the students; what inhibiting factors must be addressed in providing education of high quality; and how to bridge the…

Faults Lawrence J. Schweinhart and David P. Weikert's article in this "Educational Leadership" issue for concluding that disadvantaged preschoolers taught by direct instruction have twice the teenage delinquency rate of children experiencing the High/Scope program. Accuses the authors of exaggerating statistical differences, research…

A study was conducted to determine the technical agriculture knowledge level attained by Vocational Agriculture II students on a criterion-referenced test developed from Louisiana's Vocational Agriculture II basic curriculum; and determine if students' scores on the test differed according to selected variables: Future Farmers of America…

Comments on the author's participation in the Elementary Education Study Group and on United States Secretary of Education William J. Bennett's 1986 report, "First Lessons." Praises Bennett's appreciation of poor families' efforts to help educate their children and his call for more challenging curriculum content and higher academic…

Discusses a study of three high-quality curriculum models designed for disadvantaged preschoolers: programed learning, open-framework (teacher and child-initiated activities), and child-centered. While the study showed that diverse curriculum models can be equally effective, the age 15 data point to child-initiated learning activities as most…

Describes a study of Guaranteed Student Loans (GSL) access in proprietary schools. The study was to determine the extent to which proprietary vocational students have access to and make use of GSLs; and to identify major trends that may affect this access and use. (CT)

In this monograph, I discuss the current and historic under-representation of economically disadvantaged students, students of color, students from ethnic minorities, and students with limited English proficiency in programs for gifted students. I examine the likely causes of the under-representation of these students, drawing on research and…

Head Start, the largest federally funded preschool program, provides comprehensive services to economically disadvantaged children and their families so that children can enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school. Performance standards include requirements for the intensity and quality of a broad range of services for children and families.…

According to the authors, the real conditions of poverty and homelessness in America remain obscure. The homeless, contrary to popular belief, are not homeless by choice. 25% of the homeless are employed full-time in low-wage jobs, 25% are war veterans of one kind or another, and 25% are emotionally disturbed. According to the Rand Corporation,…