This book consists of selected conference papers that highlight the barriers faced by children at risk in the quest for educational excellence. After an introduction by Mable T. Hawkins, the following articles appear: (1) "Group Work with Gifted Children: A School Resource," by Jackolyn W. Durrett and others; (2) "Children with Handicaps: Transition from Preschool to School Programs," by Elizabeth Floyd Gerlock; (3) "Forming Partnerships with Families of Handicapped Children," by Donna S. Swall and Forrest L. Swall; (4) "Chronic Sorrow: Plight of Parents with Special Children," by Marie Rothschild; (5) "A Support System for Parents with Learning-Disabled Children," by Harry K. Dillard and others; (6) "From Hospital or Home to School: A Team Approach," by Marilyn Sargon Brier; (7)"Benefits of Early Intervention to Prevent Truancy," by Renee Shai Levine; (8) "A Last Resort: Truancy Referrals to Juvenile Court," by Nancy Kramer Banchy; (9) "A Summer Employment Project for an Alternative School," by Don Bebee and others; (10) "Project ALIVE: A Primary Prevention Model for Adolescent Suicide," by Debra M. Meckley; (11) "Coping with the Ultimate Change: Death of a Family Member," by Janice Furman and Judith Pratt; (12) "Sharing the Secret: Reaching Children of Alcoholics," by Robin H. Aronow; (13) "Parent-Child Centers: A Preventive Service in a Multicultural Community," by Gregory Grande and Antonio Gambini; and (14) "Integration Is Not Enough," by Gayle Twilbeck Wykle. A list of the contributors is included. (TE)