Assessed what urban African American custodial parents perceived as barriers to school involvement and strategies to facilitate involvement. Data from surveys of and interviews with parents of students at low-performing Florida elementary schools indicated that poor communication between home and school, lack of child care, and lack of…

Followed 9th grade teachers and their students as they began a teaming initiative to address urban educational challenges. Results showed that teaming meant the development of an ethos of collaboration manifested in everyday interactions among team members. This enhanced teachers' ability to transform their world of work, though their…

Investigated relationships between teacher suspicion of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and teacher ratings on common behavior measures used to identify ADHD. Data on urban African American first graders came from teacher ratings, parent ratings, and a child behavior checklist. Results found that teacher suspicion of ADHD related…

Describes a partnership between university education faculty and an urban public alternative high school. University faculty worked closely with teachers and students to increase students' chances of graduating. The research-based program was based on effective schools research and instructional best practices. The program resulted in real…

Addressed the internal consistency coefficients of scores on self-concept and other composites in different risk groups and the relationship between self-concept variables and variables measuring behavioral and psychological functioning. Scores from at-risk high school graduates and dropouts and not-at-risk students indicated that the reliability…

Examines the impact of street mathematics on African-American students in one inner-city elementary and one urban high school. Offers suggestions for using street mathematics as an alternative to traditional mathematics instruction for at-risk students. (SLD)

Surveyed 1,339 adolescent students from low-to-moderate income homes regarding three curricular issues in an urban high school. The diverse student population thought that the school should promote cultural understanding and make a commitment to society, and also to prepare students for work. Ethnic and gender differences were found. (MMU)

Determines effects of computerized science tutoring on the self-esteem of at-risk urban high school students. Through a case study/structured interview dyad, ascertains students' perceptions of the use of this technology in schools. Results indicate students' self-esteem improved from pre- to posttest on the Self-Esteem Index. (MMU)

Using survey and interview data from 78 junior high and high school students in an alternative school, studies the ways school structures affect the experience of at-risk students. Seven dilemmas attributable to familiar school structures are examined, and implications for restructuring schools are discussed. (SLD)

Analyzed the interrelation between achievement and personal-motivational variables in students at risk of school failure and students not at risk. Results from 606 third graders show that students with and without academic problems are different with respect to certain motivational-affective variables. Prediction of academic success from affective…

Results of a survey of teachers of children and youth at risk indicate that reducing school and classroom violence is considered most critical among five broad areas of training for professional development. Inservice training course modules for seven topics related to this area are described. (SLD)

Assessed the effects of a proactive instructional approach to school-wide discipline in common areas of an urban elementary school of 555 students on the social interactions of students and referrals for disciplinary action. Results show a clear improvement in social behavior that was maintained throughout the experiment. (SLD)

Describes the Family Focus for School Success Project, a model program that provides education and support to language minority families in poverty and their children through comprehensive early intervention for children at risk of academic failure because of their home environments. An evaluation of the first year's efforts with 69 families…

This second part of a two-part essay shows how teachers, especially middle school teachers, can reduce academic risk. Two hypotheses are examined: (1) the more the classroom culture respects students, the more students respect the purposes, principles, and people in the classroom; and (2) assessment of learning must be fair and meaningful for all.…

Studied a pilot program to give preservice teachers a broader look at the lives of children by placing the teachers with community service agencies to work with staff serving low-income parents and children from diverse backgrounds. Preliminary evaluation indicates that most preservice teachers expanded their views about families served by social…