PROJECT ABLE, A STATE-WIDE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE BETTER EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR CULTURALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS, WAS ADOPTED BY AN INNER-CITY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL IN SYRACUSE, NEW YORK. SPECIAL STAFF USED WERE--INSTRUCTIONAL SPECIALISTS, A READING CLINICIAN, AN AUDIOVISUAL COORDINATOR, A SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER, A VOCATIONAL AND PLACEMENT COORDINATOR, AND GUIDANCE COUNSELORS. THE BASIC TECHNIQUES USED TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES OF THESE DISADVANTAGED YOUTHS WERE--ACTIVE STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN THE CLASSROOM, TEAM PLANNING, A NONGRADED SYSTEM, GROUP GUIDANCE, INTENSIVE INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, PARENT CONFERENCES, FIELD TRIPS, CULTURAL PROGRAMS AND STUDENT SELF-CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT. THE PROGRAM COMPLEMENTED COURSE STUDY IN A NUMBER OF WAYS. REMEDIAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL READING WAS TAUGHT IN ALL THREE GRADES (7TH, 8TH AND 9TH). TWO AREAS, SPEECH AND MUSIC, INVOLVED SPECIALISTS WHO MET PERIODICALLY WITH STUDENTS. STUDENTS WERE GROUPED ACCORDING TO ABILITY LEVEL IN WRITING CLASSES. ASSEMBLIES, AWARDS, CLUBS, AND CULTURAL EXPERIENCES WERE USED TO ENHANCE STUDENTS' SELF-CONCEPTS.