Reviews a book which asserts that "there is no higher moral challenge than to hold on to the promise and goodness of a child when others...do not recognize that promise." The book discusses questions about children's futures, stressing the importance of doing something to help disadvantaged children living on the edge. This article examines six…

This document is one of eight reports prepared to support the development of a new learning system, a development effort that is the first step in a major initiative undertaken by the Stupski Foundation. This document synthesizes recent research and theoretical literature on the special learning needs of urban, underserved students, whom are…

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA) requires that states improve academic performance so that all students reach proficiency in reading and mathematics by 2014 and that achievement gaps close among student groups. States set annual proficiency targets using an approach known as a status model, which calculates test scores 1 year at a time. Some…

This booklet is part of a series of reports on "hot topics" in education. When educators build on informal tutoring processes and create organized processes of tutoring, it can become a powerful tool for learning, whether it is peer tutoring, cross-age tutoring, or parent/volunteer tutoring. Tutoring benefits students, who receive…

Presents a review of several factors that lead to the label of "disadvantaged," with a focus on children with blindness or visual impairment. It is noted that these children are at greater risk to be considered as disadvantaged. Practical solutions to these disadvantaging circumstances are offered. (Author/CR)

The achievement of adolescent literacy learners has become a significant topic of research and policy. This review of literature links current literacy learning theories, research that addresses the individualized nature of adolescent readers, and the literature delineating adolescent literacy policy. Researchers using naturalistic inquiry have…

In the last two decades, at least 20 economic analyses of early education intervention have been conducted and their results widely distributed. A critical review of this literature indicates that few studies provide credible evidence for the cost-effectiveness of early intervention for disadvantaged children. (TJH)

Results of 162 early intervention efficacy studies with disadvantaged, at-risk, and handicapped children were analyzed to draw conclusions about efficacy of early intervention, identify variables which covary with effectiveness, and identify areas for future reseach. It is concluded that early intervention has substantial immediate benefits for…

This review, compiled by the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE), is based on literature published between 1995 and 2005 on issues concerning unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness. It provides an overview of the challenges these young people face and includes research about why they leave their homes, how they live after leaving,…

Discusses the role of schools in preparing youth, especially economically disadvantaged youth, for employment. Reviews the themes of the articles that follow in this special journal issue on educational policy for employment training. (JCD)

Reviews research and thinking on the causes of the disproportionate involvement of black male youths in interpersonal violence and violent activities, and examines societal and community responses to this problem. Programs aimed at preventing or reducing black male youth violence are critiqued. (SLD)

Reviews the conditions of schooling for English learners in California, the state with the largest population of such students, representing about 40% of U.S. English learners. Identifies seven areas in which students receive an education demonstrably inferior to that of English speakers. (SLD)

The purpose of this paper is to explore questions about the effects of Head Start. Among these questions are the following: What is Head Start? What are the short-term and long-term effects of Head Start education? Does Head Start meet the expectations of No Child Left Behind (NCLB)? The methodology used to answer the research questions was a…

This paper focuses on transition programs for youth to postsecondary education, broadly considered. It addresses the following questions: (1) What models or programs of transition exist? (2) On what basis can we say one transition program is more effective than another? In other words, how is successful transition defined? (3) How are…

Traces the progress of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge's (England) charity school movement in the early eighteenth century and its shift from promotion of catechistical instruction to putting children to work in workhouses that served to banish idleness and beggary. (GEA)