The purpose of this study is threefold: to recount the history of the Anacostia Community School Project (later renamed the Response to Educational Needs Project) in Washington, D.C. between 1967 and 1978; to analyze the events of the period in light of theories of historiographic and social scientific developments; and to provide lessons from the history that will be useful to policymakers in government, schools, and public interest groups. The study is arranged chronologically, with each successive chapter covering a cluster of relevant events. The author discusses: (1) the history of urban education; (2) the dynamics of organizational change; and (3) some alternative strategies. The project's birth, implementation, and change are discussed in detail. The project's goals included reviving the interest of citizens in their schools, retraining teachers, revising the curriculum to make it more relevant, providing marketable skills to students, allowing students to self pace their learning, and serving a section of the city where need was greatest. The ultimate demise of the project after 11 years was due to a number of factors including: (1) the lack of money; (2) the loss of community enthusiasm; (3) the resentment of the D.C. school personnel; and (4) the loss of a constituency. (Author/RLV)