SCHOOLS ROLE IN THE PROVISION OF SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES - A CRITICAL ASPECT OF PROGRAM EQUITY

Attempts to redefine equal educational opportunities not only in terms of spending, but also in terms of student performance, are important, but if all students are to achieve a certain level of academic achiev ement, we must broaden our understanding of how children learn and wha t influences their capacity to learn and ensure that financial resourc es are provided for child- and family-support services that begin at b irth. This article reviews the research that forms the basis for this recommendation and describes the School of the 21st Century as an appr oach to optimize the growth and development of children and their abil ity to profit from academic instruction.