Academic Excellence in an Inner City Elementary School: P 129K; Evaluation of ESEA Title I Projects in New York City, 1967-68

Presented is an independent evaluation of a Title I cooperative effort to create a "model school" in the Bedford Stuyvesant area of New York City. Project Beacon of Yeshiva University, the local school board, and P.S. 129 sought to develop innovative approaches, improve student achievement and instruction, and rehabilitate dropouts. The project involved a saturation program for the entire fourth grade, a learning center for retarded readers and behavior problem children, a special science program, inservice training, and the establishment of a local governing board. On the whole the findings were disappointing. The various features of the saturation effort either did not meet stated goals and expectations, or failed to materialize. Reading and achievement scores of fourth graders did not improve. Despite numerous shortcomings in the learning center component, the evaluator suggests that a well-planned replication might assess the effectiveness of that concept. Specific recommendations for improving the project are included. For a history and description of Title I, 1955-1968, in New York, see UD 007 904. (NH)