Using student survey data from six U.S. school districts, we estimate how assignment to a demographically similar teacher affects student reports of personal effort, happiness in class, feeling cared for and motivated by their teacher, the quality of student-teacher communication, and college aspirations. Relying on a classroom fixed-effects…

Many US education reform efforts focus on student performance in large, urban school districts. The National Assessment of Educational Progress's Trial Urban District Assessment (TUDA) program provides data on student achievement in these districts, but differences in student characteristics complicate comparisons of district performance. I use…

Paraeducators perform multiple roles in U.S. classrooms, including among others preparing classroom activities, working with students individually and in small groups, supporting individualized programming for students with disabilities, managing classroom behavior, and engaging with parents and communities. Yet, little research provides insights…

This report provides statistical data on twenty large city school districts for the 1978-79 school year. Information is presented on the following topics: (1) pupil membership; (2) number of full time classroom teachers; (3) pupil teacher ratios; (4) administrative staff; (5) classroom teacher salaries; (6) expenditures per pupil; (7) revenue per…

Examined data on student achievement and school demographics not explored by the researchers who promoted Community School District 2, Manhattan, New York, as a model of urban school reform. Concludes that the alleged superiority of the district is questionable. (SLD)

L. Weiner (2003) argues that research reports from High Performance Learning Communities were biased because of the close relationship of researchers and reform leaders. Asserts that the data support the original contentions about the value of the reform effort as a model. (SLD)

L. Weiner (1003) and L. Resnick (2003) have advanced sharply different views about the success of reforms in Community School District 2 in New York City. It is possible that Weiner's views are more objective. Notes that criticisms of scholarly work are neither personal nor unscientific, and are quite common. (SLD)

Examined is the educational bureaucracy in New York City and its relation to other city institutions, civic groups, and teachers and administrators. The book contains chapters on the failure of desegregation, demographic and housing patterns, the neighborhood school movement, civil rights organizations, white liberals, and the moderates. Also…

This document is an abridged version of a longer study of the New York City school system which has been published under the title "110 Livingston Street" (see UD 007 624). Discussed here are New York City's struggle over school desegregation, the Board of Education and its top decision makers, and the demographic and housing patterns in…