The principal aims of this study were to identify, select, analyze, and describe educational programs for culturally disadvantaged children from preschool through grade 12 which had yielded measured benefits of cognitive achievement. Identification and selection were accomplished through a literature search and the advice of a panel of experts. Site visits to 98 programs in 31 urban areas assisted in further selection and provided data for analysis. Twenty-one programs were designated as exemplary; in each, pupils had achieved statistically significantly better scores on standardized tests than had controls, or than national normative figures. In Part I of the Final Report the study is described and a tentative analysis of the programs' components is presented. Conclusions include guidelines for program and design and evaluation and possible approaches to cost-effectiveness analysis for compensatory education programs. Extensive bibliographies are also included. (For Part II of this report see UD 007619.) (Author)