These conference proceedings contain two major papers. The paper by Susan S. Stodolsky and Gerald S. Lesser, "Learning Patterns in the Disadvantaged," reports a study of effects of social class and ethnic group influences on levels and patterns of mental ability. Scores for verbal ability, reasoning, number facility, and space conceptualization of middle- and lower-class Chinese, Jewish, Negro, and Puerto Rican first graders showed striking effects of ethnicity. Also noted was the fact that social class was a more influential factor in the level of ability of Negroes than among any other group. The presentation by Herbert G. Birch, "Health and the Education of Socially Disadvantaged Children," points out that the poor health of these children is a primary variable in their educational failure. Health factors which are specifically related to intellectual and educational deficits are prematurity, obstetrical and perinatal complications, birth weight, maternal physical characteristics and nutrition, and prenatal care. For an abstract of Stodolsky and Lesser, see ED 012 291; for Birch, see ED 013 283. (NH)