PROJECT BEAM BEGAN IN THE GHETTOS OF SAN FRANCISCO IN THE FALL OF 1970 WITH THE AIM OF INTERVENING IN THE LIVES OF PREDELINQUENT AND DELINQUENT MINORITY GROUP CHILDREN TO IMPROVE THEIR ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL FUNCTIONING AND TO PROVIDE THEM WITH ALTERNATIVES TO THE BEHAVIOR THAT HAD BROUGHT THEM TO THE ATTENTION OF SCHOOL AUTHORITIES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. THE PROJECT HAD THREE THRUSTS: AN INTENSIVE TUTORIAL PROGRAM IN READING; WEEKLY COUNSELING OR RAP SESSIONS; AND A CULTURAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (PLAYS, PICNICS, CAMPING, ETC.). PARTICIPATING STUDENTS WERE SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADERS WITH READING AND BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PROJECT EFFORTS IS ASSESSED IN TERMS OF READING SCORES BEFORE AND AFTER PROJECT PARTICIPATION, CHANGES IN PROBATIONARY STATUS, AND TEACHER EVALUATIONS. THE PROJECT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN IMPROVING PARTICIPANTS' READING ABILITY, REDUCING THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS ON PROBATION, AND IMPROVING TEACHERS' ASSESSMENTS OF STUDENTS' ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT THESE RESULTS WERE ACHIEVED PRIMARILY THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS FROM THE SAME RACIAL BACKGROUND AS THE CHILDREN. DETAILS OF PROJECT OPERATIONS, EVALUATION FINDINGS, AND SUPPORTING DATA ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)