Part of a much larger study of the JOBS (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills) program, profiles were developed of programs in four communities: San Diego (California); Brooklyn (New York); Philadelphia (Pennsylvania); and Tucson (Arizona), that served welfare clients in innovative and promising ways. The case studies were conducted through site visits between August 1994 and April 1995 and review of program documents. The sites selected focused on programs that have the following characteristics: primarily serve students whose native language is English, incorporate stimulating approaches to instruction, operate at a substantial scale and for a relatively large number of hours per week, and serve significant numbers of welfare recipients. The study identified a number of attributes that all four case study sites share: a clear concept of the educational and other needs of welfare recipients; support for teachers' ongoing efforts to innovate and experiment in the classroom; and adequate funding. Some of the promising practices adopted by the sites include the following: (1) a well-defined mission; (2) separate classes specifically for JOBS students; (3) skilled, experienced teachers; (4) an emphasis on staff development; (5) varied instructional approaches that involve active learning; (6) frequent communication about students' progress between educators and JOBS program staff; (7) a stress on regular attendance, with aggressive follow-up on absences; (8) relatively intensive class schedules; and (9) a high degree of teacher-student and student-student interaction. (10 references) (KC)