This volume is one of the products of the knowledge development effort implemented under the mandate of the Youth Employment and Demonstration Projects Act of l977. This interim report describes the background and structure of the Educational Improvement Effort (EIE) of the Job Corps, as well as the preliminary findings for the first cohorts of participants and controls in the models of EIE implemented earliest. The EIE follows a logical sequence, beginning with a survey of the varying teaching methods and policies within Job Corps centers as well as a review of past evaluation literature. Cooperatively with the education community, exemplary education approaches outside Job Corps were assessed for applicability for disadvantaged youth in a center environment. The most promising models were then implemented and Job Corps members were randomly assigned to the models and to traditional Job Corps offerings. Assessment of both types of programs yielded findings that are remarkable if they hold up over time. The tested gain rates of Corpsmembers in regular programs exceed both public school averages and the lower learning rates previously achieved by the Corpsmembers in school. The gain rates also exceed those documented for Job Corps in the past. The evidence on the relative effectiveness of traditional and innovative approaches is limited now, but it does appear that some alternatives are promising, particularly, computerized instruction. It is clear that the individualized, self-paced instructional approach used in Job Corps can positively affect learning rates of even the most disadvantaged youth. (KC)