
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 21, 1993                   TAG: 9304210053
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A5   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHAPEL HILL, N.C.                                LENGTH: Short

EARLY STUDIES AID POOR CHILDREN, RESEARCH SAYS

A 21-year study of poor children shows that their academic performance can be improved by programs that help them early in life, a researcher said Tuesday.

Unlike other studies that showed early help didn't make a long-term difference, the new study concludes there is a significant advantage, said Frances A. Campbell, senior researcher at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center at the University of North Carolina.

The study showed that the program of extra help:

Raised test performances by 16.5 IQ points at age 3.

Left a four-point IQ improvement at age 15, a decade after the help ended.

Raised math and reading scores.

Reduced the need for special education classes.

Reduced the chances of flunking a grade.

by CNB