This report discusses some "promising" compensatory education programs and presents statistical estimates which identify the disadvantaged population to be served by such programs. The discussion is based on observations of school systems and programs in all sections of the country and on interviews with over 200 educational administrators who were asked to identify presently or potentially effective programs. The discussion focuses on programs to develop the preschool child's language ability and learning readiness, programs for remedial reading and individualized instruction, programs for children whose bilingualism presents learning problems, and programs for the problem adolescent. In addition, the educational effectiveness of school integration as compared with compensatory education practices is discussed. The importance of administrative leadership in the schools, of parent involvement in the educational process, and of the use of audiovisual equipment are also discussed. Reports of most of the programs referred to in this discussion are available through the ERIC information retrieval system. An annotated bibliography of these reports follows the discussion. (LB)