THE GREAT CITIES SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AMONG THE CULTURALLY DISADVANTAGED IN PHILADELPHIA ATTEMPTED TO FILL THE FOLLOWING NEEDS--(1)COMMUNICATION SKILLS, (2) EXPERIENCES TO EXTEND AND ENRICH CULTURAL BACKGROUND, (3) PARTICIPATION IN PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE POSITIVE INTERGROUP UNDERSTANDINGS, (4) ENCOURAGMENT TO DEVELOP PRIDE IN THEMSELVES AND THEIR ABILITIES, AND (5) DEVELOPMENT OF INTEREST AND SUPPORT OF THE HOME. THE WAY IN WHICH ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO MEET THESE NEEDS HAS VARIED AMONG THE EIGHT SCHOOLS INVOLVED (ONE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL AND EIGHT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS). THERE HAS BEEN AN EMPHASIS UPON LANGUAGE ARTS INSTRUCTION AND CULTURAL ENRICHMENT THROUGH AFTER-SCHOOL AND SATURDAY FIELD TRIPS. EFFORT WAS MADE FOR THE STIMULI, PARTICIPATION, AND REPETITIONS OF THE LEARNING PROCESS TO BE PLACED IN A CONTEXT RELEVANT TO THE PUPILS. RESOURCES FOR THE PROGRAM INCLUDED A LANGUAGE ARTS LABORATORY WITHIN EACH SCHOOL, LANGUAGE ARTS CONSULTANTS, LANGUAGE LABORATORY TEACHERS, SCHOOL-COMMUNITY LIASON PERSONNEL, IN-SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR TEACHERS, SPECIALLY DEVISED CURRICULA, AND UNIQUE TESTING PROGRAMS.