MOTIVATION, RATHER THAN ALTERED CURRICULUM OR INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUE, WAS UTILIZED TO RAISE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WHICH DRAW THEIR STUDENT BODY PRINCIPALLY FROM CULTURALLY DISADVANTAGED NEGRO FAMILIES. THREE BASIC APPROACHES WERE USED TO IMPROVE MOTIVATION IN THE SCHOOLS--(1) TEACHERS AND PARENTS WERE FIRST PERSUADED THAT HIGHER ACHIEVEMENT WAS POSSIBLE, (2) AN APPEAL WAS MADE TO THE SENSE OF PRIDE AND COMPETITIVE SPIRIT OF THE PUPILS, AND (3) VARIOUS COMMUNITY AGENCIES WERE ENCOURAGED TO JOIN THE CAMPAIGN. THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN ENCOURAGINGLY SUCCESSFUL.