Erickson, Edsel L., Albert Ritsema, Wilbur B. Brookover, and Lee M. Joiner. 1969. "Differences Between Economically Disadvantaged Students Who Volunteer and Who Do Not Volunteer for Economic Opportunity Programs." Journal of Human Resources 4(1):76-83.

This article reports a study of differences between lower socioeconomic status high school students who volunteered and did not volunteer for a federally sponsored Work Training Program. Contrary to hypothesized differences, it appears that students who volunteer are likely to be students for whom "life chances" are otherwise poorest in terms of lower school achievement levels, lower academic support from parents and friends, lower self-conceptions of academic ability, lower educational aspirations, and lower occupational plan levels. Only in the area of teacher support for academic achievement did the volunteers exceed the nonvolunteers. There was no difference in academic ability for volunteers and nonvolunteers as measured by intelligence tests. It is concluded that those who sought to avail themselves of economic and educational opportunities were those for whom compensatory programs were developed.

Mr. Erickson is Associate Professor of Sociology and Education, Western Michigan University; Mr. Ritsema is Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology, Wisconsin State University, Oshkosh; Mr. Brookover is Professor of Sociology and Education, Michigan State University; Mr. Joiner is Associate Professor of Special Education, Southern Illinois University. A revision of a paper presented at the American Educational Research Meeting, February 18, 1967, in New York. The research was supported by the School of Education and the Center for Sociological Research, Western Michigan University. The authors wish to express their appreciation to Wallace Norgrove, Corwin Krugh, John Vonk, Sharon Wilkins, and Ruth Jennings for research assistance.

© 2003 by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System

US ISSN 0022-166X

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