The paper examines the nature and challenges of a triple threat in childhood--economic poverty, limited and non-English proficiency, and a handicapping condition. Special emphasis is placed on the problems of Asian and Pacific Americans. Difficulties in establishing the precise scope of the problem are noted, including limited definitions and questionable statistics. Effects of the three conditions on prerequisite skills in cognition, motivation, appropriate behavior, and English ability are considered. Effects of the three conditions on educability are analyzed. The need for policy and basic research on the problem is stressed, and topics for such research are suggested. (CL)