This paper discusses the concept of literacy and proposes several theses with regard to the difficulty experienced by youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds in acquiring literacy in present-day school environments. It recommends studies to explore the funding of programs designed to improve schools as educational organizations, rather than…

Effects of a restructured Chapter 1 program (RCP) on 45 first graders' literacy were examined. RCP students could read a primer fluently and performed better than comparison groups (students in the regular Chapter 1 program and classroom peers). Improvement was particularly apparent for those with the lowest initial readiness scores. (SLD)

Holland House is a residential program for neglected and delinquent youth in Saginaw (Michigan). In 1993-94, the program received Education Consolidation and Improvement Act Chapter 1 funding that was used toward the purchase of materials and toward teacher and aide salaries for a reading skills tutorial program in a special classroom at a…