Examines local politics, economics, and other factors contributing to the results of the 1987 and 1992 tax elections in a Louisiana city-parish. Results suggest that proponents of educational agendas should couch propositions in terms of developmental policies, because all socioeconomic segments tend to support development. (SLD)

Studies the reasons for student dropout from an urban basic-education program for paraprofessional health care workers by examining the perceptions of 153 completers, noncompleters, leavers, and nonattenders. Groups differed in terms of their previous college experience, attainment of education goals, judgment of instructional level, and…

Examining the grades for an entire urban high school in a Midwestern city shows that the distribution of grades among students remains constant at all grade levels, even though many students drop out. The result is a depression of grades and an increase in student dissatisfaction among those who receive the lowest grades. (SLD)

Addresses the concept of underachievement among gifted black students from several perspectives and describes the extent to which gifted black students support the achievement ideology. Recommendations are made for ensuring that black students become more fully represented in programs for the gifted. (SLD)

Detailed text analysis was used to examine the expository writing patterns of four academically successful African American high school students. These bidialectic students brought culturally influenced text design patterns into the classroom. Implications for writing instruction for culturally diverse students are discussed. (SLD)

The attitudes of 193 teacher candidates at a rural university toward teaching in urban schools were studied. In spite of their lack of experience and preparation for teaching urban students, many were willing, although not eager, to teach in urban schools in order to have a job. (SLD)

Discusses issues and problems in the development and implementation of multicultural education programs, focusing on how a group of educators sought to help early childhood teachers deal with the increasing number of intergroup conflicts among their pupils. These educators developed a multicultural education resource book. (SLD)

Focusing on the efforts of seven teachers involved in a mathematics curriculum reform program in three housing projects ("The Bricks") in Cleveland (Ohio), this article examines the contexts of reform. Cultural conflicts between students and teachers and barriers to full teacher commitment to reform hampered project implementation. (SLD)

Explores the relevance of environmental education in modern society, focusing on urban areas. Environmental education can enable a relevant and fulfilling education within a community-specific environment. Properly conceptualized, environmental education has much to offer all communities. (SLD)

Describes the rationale for the Camden (New Jersey) Direct Instruction project, an instructional system used in elementary schools. Presents two studies completed by the project in 1984-85: a study of the improvement of reading instruction and a study of the use of Direct Instruction in "transitional classrooms" with students having developmental…