In this article, the author outlines briefly what he calls the three C's--a set of tools that can be used to improve urban science education. The author then describes ways that these tools can support students who have traditionally been marginalized. These three aligned and closely connected tools provide practical ways to engage students in…

The special learning needs of students in grades 4-5 who are children of poverty have been misunderstood and therefore unaddressed. As a result, many students born into poverty start down a slippery slope of steady academic decline in grades 4 and 5. But specialized, counter-intuitive approaches. Specifically, accelerating the learning of these…

Discusses the growth of preschool education in Europe from 1970 to 1977, the period covered by the Council of Europe's project on preschool education. Focuses on levels of government support, needs of socially disadvantaged children, and programs for children in sparsely populated areas. (PGD)

In response to Mr. Kozol's December article, Mr. Slavin maintains that, while everyone is entitled to form his or her own opinion of Success for All, Mr. Kozol misrepresented the program. In particular, Mr. Kozol neglected to mention the substantial gains made by students in the very schools that he is so concerned about. (Contains 2 figures and 9…

For five years the major school reform agenda in America has been the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, which was part of the most recent reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Now ESEA is up for another reauthorization by Congress, and everyone is wondering what is going to happen next. One could argue that there is…

Parents lacking basic literacy skills cannot be expected to help their children learn these skills. Teachers of disadvantaged students cannot assume their students possess the same information that middle-class children have. Some parents fail to consider their children's basic physical needs. Changing educators' attitudes isn't the whole answer!…

By examining the premises underlying conventional approaches to teaching disadvantaged students, educators can devise more challenging content and more effective instructional methods. Some important principles include maximizing time on task, establishing high expectations and a school climate supporting academic learning, and strengthening…

To date, efforts to educate the disadvantaged child have failed because most teachers and administrators have been unable to transcend the gulf between his culture and their own. Two concepts, however, are basic to any suggestions about educating the disadvantaged. First, it is possible to educate children "by providing a model for emulation and…

Argues that, in spite of assertions by Jensen and Shockley to the effect that heredity is the major contributor to IQ differences, there exists no means for estimating the magnitude of the genetic contribution. (JF)

An English teacher recounts snippets of her conversations with remedial students who have introduced her to a different world. Although she cannot change their violent circumstances, transform them into avid readers, or dispel feelings of craziness, she and the students keep talking. (MLH)

Some inner-city youth have "ducked the bullet" and built hope through participation in neighborhood-based organizations that offer safety, support, guidance, companionship, and opportunities for growth and engagement. All 60 urban sanctuaries examined in 3 metropolitan areas shared common features: dynamic adult leadership, family-like…

Describes deficiencies in the Ball-Bogatz evaluation of Sesame Street" and suggests that this program might increase rather than decrease the deficit for disadvantaged children. (JF)

Changes in the social setting of the 1970's could eliminate the need for a special curriculum for the disadvantaged child, with the exception of preschool programs. A more critical need appears to be improved teaching methods capable of rewarding and improving the self-image of disadvantaged children. (JH)

Recent release of "Prospects," a national evaluation of Chapter 1/Title I ($7.2 billion federal program for disadvantaged elementary-school students), has questioned effectiveness of entire program. However, 1994 Title I reauthorization allows high-poverty schools to turn their dollars into markedly better achievement by adopting…

While forging a political and social consensus to support existing compensatory education efforts, supporters have exhausted any notion of whom they mean to help, what their problems are, how to determine success, or how best to help. This article redefines high risk youth, dispels some common misconceptions about low-achievers, and outlines…