Discusses trends in K-12 social studies education in Boston as determined by a study conducted during the 1976-1977 school year. Desegregation efforts of the 70's brought about many changes in the educational environment. How these changes affected social studies education is examined. (Author/RM)

Describes the parent and community involvement project at the David A. Ellis School in Roxbury (MA), which includes a Parent Center within the school, field trips, tutoring assistance by university students, and ESL and GED classes for parents. (DM)

Describes the use of teacher researcher teams in problem solving and evaluation in the David A. Ellis School's Schools Reaching Out project. Provides guidelines for such teams in other schools. (DM)

A study of high school choice programs in four large cities (New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Boston) shows that meaningful school choice is beyond the reach of the most vulnerable innercity students. Educators considering such plans must recognize the dangers (like stacked admissions policies) raised for these youth. (MLH)

Traces how a principal reversed the downward spiral of his urban middle school by strengthening family, community, and business ties and creating a positive, challenging, and supportive school experience. The school is bolstered by business partnerships, a school-based management team, a parent liaison, and a high-risk student coordinator. (CJS)

These appendices include the data upon which "Citizen Organizations: A Study of Citizen Participation in Educational Decisionmaking--Final Research Report" (UD 019 754) was based. Data are provided on the variables which shaped the character and role of community organizations concerned with the school systems and school policies of…

When Boston, Massachusetts teachers objected to a reading subskills management curriculum adopted by the city, a new elementary school curriculum was developed that emphasized broad general objectives at each level and reading comprehension. Teacher input played an important role in the curriculum effort. (PP)

Uses Boston's (Massachusetts) Controlled Choice plan to explain how multiracial, attractive city schools of achievement are possible when sufficient attention is given to both instrumental and affective goals in education. Characteristics of the learning environment, and the overall impact on reading scores are explored along with the effects race…

Describes how a neglected Boston middle school transformed itself into an inviting, tree-lined campus with comfortable reading and study areas and an exemplary physical education program. Project Adventure is an intense six-week physical training course that teaches advanced rock-climbing skills. With classmates' encouragement, participants…

Hypothesizes that a student assignment plan, such as that approved for Boston (Massachusetts), can be an effective method of using school choice to achieve both educational quality and racial balance. Urges the federal government to increase funds for demonstration planning projects and comparative studies to test the plan's effectiveness. (FMW)

Discusses a tuberculosis skin testing program introduced for seventh and tenth grade students in Boston (Massachusetts) public schools. Positivity rate was significantly higher in tenth grade students. Among those testing positive, the majority were born outside the United States. Results suggest that testing may identify a significant number of…

Assesses the Schools Reaching Out programs at two elementary schools in Roxbury (MA) and New York City. Emphasis has been on input goals, not on outcomes, so that little progress in academic achievement has actually been made. Input goals, however, have been met. (DM)

Reviews the history of the Boston School Committee. Suggests the following structural reforms: (1) shift decision-making to local schools and assure access to the decision-making process; (2) shift personnel decisions to the superintendent; and (3) eliminate the assignment of staff members to individual board members and provide service to…

Presents and discusses enrollment statistics for nine Massachusetts school systems undergoing desegregation. Focuses on Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, and Cambridge. Describes each system as successfully promoting desegregation through magnet schools and parental choice. (KH)

Frequency of prosocial and antisocial student behaviors was rated by 1,503 students and 92 teachers in 4 urban middle schools ranked by achievement. The highest achieving school combined academics with a culture of caring, reflected in higher prosocial and lower antisocial behavior rates. Lower achieving schools had higher antisocial behavior…