This document combines a facilitator's manual designed to train candidates for Local School Councils (LSCs) and others who want to improve Chicago (Illinois) schools with fact sheets, worksheets, checklists, and case studies (in English and Spanish) to be used by participants in the leadership training program. The following goals are outlined in the facilitator's manual: (1) teach participants to put children first in all their decisions; (2) build a commitment among participants to reach a consensus on key decisions whenever possible, rather than just a winning majority; (3) teach participants the ingredients of effective urban schools and show them how they can make their local schools effective; (4) teach participants the contents of the Chicago School Reform Act and how to use the Act to turn their schools into effective schools; (5) show participants how to use the school improvement planning process included in the Act as the first step towards making their schools effective schools; and (6) teach participants about other available resources, including additional training and workshops. The manual provides step-by-step instructions to conduct three 3-hour training sessions, each comprised of a number of activities. The following information for each of the 20 activities is included: (1) time limit; (2) objectives; (3) materials list; (4) directions for conducting the activity, including sample scripts; and (5) facilitator tips. The companion volume of participant resource materials covers the following topics: (1) the Chicago School Reform Act (CSRA); (2) School Organization; (3) characteristics of an effective school; (4) group dynamics; (5) priorities for parent and community involvement; (6) the LCS-principal relationship; (7) teacher role; (8) decision-making; (9) differences in school organization before and after passage of the CSRA; (10) the school improvement process; (11) school environment; (12) discipline; (13) interviewing school personnel; (14) truancy and dropouts; and (15) the process of learning to read. One table of statistical data, five illustrations, and a school reform timeline are included. A resource directory of 55 community organizations active in school reform and a workshop evaluation form are appended. (FMW)