This proposal, from the Quality Education for Minorities Network, is designed to support a working conference whose agenda is the conceptualization of a national strategy to improve the education, especially the mathematics and science education, of children and youth living in low-income residential communities (LRCs). Attendees, approximately 60 working participants and 25 observers, will include representatives of HBCUs and predominately minority institutions, school districts, professional organizations and human service agencies. The conference is planned for 8/28- 30, 1992. A national organization, the Housing Development Network, will be established as an outcome of the conference and will be hosted by QEM. Its major purpose will be to promote linkages between universities, housing developments LRCs, community- based organizations, health and social service agencies, and local housing authorities. Attendees at a small follow-up conference will write the Conference Proceedings. This project is an extremely cost-effective yet substantive way of addressing one of the Nation's largest problems and shows potential for reaching out to a large number of institutions, youth and teachers. The influence it might exert is increased by its probable joint sponsorship of a number of federal agencies. Non-NSF cost-sharing is approximately 23% of the amount requested from NSF.
