Reports Descriptive (141)-- Reports-

This paper examines current practice for youth at risk of not successfully making the transition to adulthood in six urban secondary schools. It describes the major elements of at-risk policies and programs and raises concerns about the strategies Lurrently in place at the sites. The following strategies are discussed: (1) curriculum and instruction intervention; (2) social and support services; (3) staff development; (4) world-of-work experiences; (5) collaboration with other agencies; and (6) district leadership. This paper also questions whether the current "state of the art " thinking about youth at risk is enough to meet the challenge these students pfovide. The following areas of particular concern are discussed: (1) lack of information on outcomes, use of data, program evaluation, and student monitoring; and (2) lack cf coordination of at-risk programs and strategies with links to school curricular and social support programs. Finally, this paper examines secondar