Recent experiences teaching in inner city schools indicate they are structured in ways that increase failure probability. Absences, some related to students' poverty, and some administrative policies greatly reduce actual class time. Repeated classroom interruptions decrease instructional effectiveness. Inflexible instructional policies and…

Studied 21 students labeled "at risk" by their schools who participated in an after-school compensatory program. These students partially accepted, and ultimately rejected, the status-attainment ideology promulgated within the program. Suggests ways in which adults could better represent the interests of these students. (SLD)