Summarizes major findings and implications from research on the characteristics of effective classrooms and on characteristics that distinguish schools that have unusually high student achievement from those that enroll similar groups of students with much lower achievement. Discusses how these findings relate to improving achievement in city…

Examines recent literature focusing on the achievement of poverty students at inner city schools. Discusses the implications of findings in the areas of (1) student grouping and individualization for instructional purposes, (2) learning time for basic skills, (3) grading practices, (4) discipline, (5) grade structure, and (6) differences…

Summarizes research on instruction-related practices and policies and their implementation in effective urban schools. Discusses outcomes-based instruction, effective organizational arrangements for low achievers, instructional coordination, avoidance of overemphasis on lower order skills, operationalization of shared values, "organic"…

Previous studies of unusually effective urban schools have focused on school characteristics considered influential in the schools' success, but few provide specific guidance for improving achievement in other schools. This study sought to describe organizational processes and arrangements within elementary schools implementing the Chicago Mastery…