Describes the successes of the Career Opportunities Program before it was deleted from the federal budget. (IRT)

Drawing on 14 case studies, this article examines reforms and innovative strategies affecting quantity and quality of time usage, and the potential of nonschool educators to complement and expand youngsters' learning opportunities. Many successful programs offer students less classroom time. Some residential programs for dropouts and poor minority…

Noncollege-bound students (the "forgotten 42%") are more likely to be low-wage employees or unemployed. Minority-group employment outcomes are bleak, and poverty data, particularly for dropouts, are even more discouraging. Access to higher education has improved, despite higher tuition costs, but persistence toward degrees has not. (MLH)

Provides numerous statistics on the unequal distribution of power and wealth among men, women, and minorities of the same educational levels. Argues for (1) the teaching of skills and content that will help students control their own destinies and (2) a cooperative social environment within each classroom. Appended are 13 references. (IW)