The article presents evidence suggesting a relationship between learning disabilities, brain dysfunction, and cultural-economic disadvantage. The inclusion of disadvantaged children within the learning disability framework of services is recommended. (Author/DB)

In this short essay, Douglas J. Besharov argues that Congress should mandate an honest assessment of Head Start's strengths and weaknesses to enable the program to more effectively enhance early childhood education. He discusses evidence of Head Start's limited effectiveness and proposes that it begin operating based on research.

Presents guidelines for the practice of minority counseling, focusing specifically on objectives for counseling Puerto Rican youth in the areas of self-development, knowledge of the world of work, and career planning. (SK)

The author discusses the 1966 Coleman Report and how its findings have been misinterpreted to leave the impression that schools are powerless to surmount socioeconomic disadvantage. She cites newer research, particularly Rutter's study of inner-city London secondary schools, which show that individual schools can and do make a difference.…

Suggests a reevaluation of both the conceptualizations and the intervention strategies used to deal with the problem of the mental health of inner city Black children. (CM)

Discusses how preschool helps children develop pre-mathematics, social, and language skills as well as confidence. Claims low-income children have the greatest need for high-quality early care to overcome the disadvantages of poverty, and argues that high-quality child care prevents later costs for special education, welfare, or job training…

Presents views and ideas on children and childhood from Janusz Korczak, premiere social educator and reformer of early 20th century. Briefly describes Korczak's own riches-to-rags story following the death of his father, describes his work with children and youth, and provides excerpts from his writings. (NB)

Baker and Riordan express disappointment with Father Greeley's sharp comments concerning their September 1998 "Kappan" article. Their major point was that 1990s Catholic schools are no longer educating the disadvantaged, due to changing demographics. Father Greeley's second rebuttal deplores Baker and Riordan's gratuitous scholarship and…

Reviews research evidence on the benefits and costs of increasing investment in children, and a redirection of some economic policies that have an indirect impact on children. Concludes that much more could be done to enhance the well-being of children, but it would require a willingness to increase both public spending and taxation. (MOK)

Jennifer Boss, Senior Program Associate at ZERO TO THREE, spoke with three infant mental health consultants who worked with three different Early Head Start programs as part of the Pathways to Prevention (PTP) initiative. The interviews particularly focused on how to infuse technology into consultation arrangements that center around building and…

This working paper examines the approaches, wisdom, and experience generated by the ChalleNGe program, as well as the vast storehouse of knowledge and research, models and systems possessed by the military services that are potentially applicable to educating and developing youngsters who are at greatest risk of academic failure, economic…

Women, especially black women, may be the primary "change agents" in institutions in the 1980s. Women in education should distinguish between women's equity and the need to reform educational institutions to equip them to serve urban, ethnically diverse populations. The crisis in American society and the inappropriateness of its educational,…

One way in which the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) of Michigan can have a positive impact on linking the educational system and the employment world is by providing leadership that recognizes and promotes the preparation of youth with job transferable skills. To that aim, this paper attempts to describe measurable employability…

Since language largely derives from social interaction, preschool children should be provided many opportunities to converse, question and play with words. In this way children learn what to do with language in order to communicate effectively and appropriately. Recently begun investigations of language as it is actually used may produce findings…

This volume contains the texts of reports from four European symposia on pre-school education which were held under the auspices of the Council for Cultural Co-operation of the Council of Europe. The first two symposia were concerned with different aspects of links between preschool and primary education. The third symposium focused on the…