No amount of wishing can eliminate the pervasiveness of social-class dynamics in the lives of teachers and students. Educators and students need clarity and insight regarding the presence, interplay, and power of social class in their encounters with one another. This paper addresses these social class dynamics within educational institutions,…

Studies show a positive correlation between parental involvement and academic achievement, but the involvement of immigrant or poor parents is lower than that of native-born, middle-class parents. Reasons may include socioeconomic status, level of instruction, language fluency, status of immigrant community, years of residency, relations between…

Reviews research related to the problem of disadvantaged children. Finds situational, geographical, and familial continuities mentioned along with factors of socioeconomic class and maternal disadvantaged biology. Observes studies show that many of the disadvantaged are able to overcome early difficulties. Concentrates on protective cultural…

Uses medical data (medical history and physical examination) on samples of 245 delinquent and 160 homeless youths in San Francisco (California) to discuss health needs of this population. The article reveals that a substantial number of these youth did not have adequate health care coverage despite considerable medical problems compared to the…

This report provided the U.S. District Court hearing the Liddell case about school desegregation in St. Louis (Missouri) in 1996 with a review of research on promising programs, reform designs, and school components that have been found to support or enhance achievement among historically disadvantaged students. Specific steps are proposed to…

This paper describes a theoretically driven approach uniquely suited for the development of research partnerships between university teams and local communities serving children enrolled in Head Start programs. A literature review on dimensions of successful research partnerships provides a backdrop for presenting the Resilience…

This book presents six instructional models for teaching at-risk students. Each chapter is followed by a commentary section by an educational expert. Chapter 1 contrasts compensatory education as it is today with the kind of curriculum and instruction that would emerge based on the principles espoused in later chapters. Chapter 2 describes an…

This paper cites reasons to be optimistic and to be concerned about the creative potential of at-risk and disadvantaged students. Reasons for optimism include the wide distribution of creative potential, the significant role played by motivation in creative performances, and the diverse expression of creativity. Reasons for concern include the…

This report presents findings of an inquiry into the educational needs of children prenatally exposed to drugs and covers: (1) the extent of the problem, (2) negative effects of prenatal drug exposure on a child's educational potential, (3) typical behaviors and learning deficits of such children, and (4) characteristics of successful early…

This paper explores the role of public jobs programs in the U.S. economy from the 1930s to the present. It postulates that jobs programs are necessary because they serve four separate but overlapping needs: alleviating joblessness, hardship, and poverty; helping the economy emerge from recession; providing jobs to able-bodied welfare recipients;…

This analysis focuses on school offerings and practices that limit or increase the course work taken by particular groups of students. The National Commission on Excellence in Education has recommended minimal requirements for high school graduation consisting of 4 years of English, 3 years of mathematics, science, and social studies, and one-half…

This analysis discusses 5 elementary schools in the District of Columbia that have demonstrated significant educational improvements in less than 6 months after the implementation of the Community for Learning (CFL), a collaborative project initiated between the Office of the Superintendent of D.C. Public Schools, the Laboratory for Student…

Chapter 1 of this document examines the need for alternative education among vulnerable youth by reviewing the numbers and characteristics of youth who disconnect from mainstream developmental pathways in various ways. The second chapter examines the question of "what is an alternative education school or program" and draws on a variety…

Although the concept of "community" has been defined in many ways, it generally encompasses subgroups that provide emotional and common-interest ties as well as a sense of subjective wholeness. This paper provides a brief chronology on community within American life and the influence of ideals arising from this history. A look at…

Multicultural education in Germany has been profoundly affected by history and the consequences and burdens of war. As Germany has always understood itself to be a monocultural country, there was initially little room for unpopular multicultural approaches to school organization and curriculum. Depending on the political orientation of state…