These conference proceedings approach urban education from three perspectives. The first section describes basic issues in urban education: financial problems, legal mandates, cultural diversity, and desegregation. Papers included are: "Financing Urban Schools" by Richard A. Rossmiller; "Legal Issues in Urban Education" by Virginia D. Nordin; "Education That is Multicultural for Urban Schools: Rationale and Recommendation" by Carl A. Grant; and "Perspectives on Desegregation/Integration" by Charles D. Moody, Sr. The Implications of these issues for instructional programming, teacher inservice, and citizen advocacy are examined in the second section. Papers included are: "Improving the Effectiveness of Urban Schools: Instruction" by Edgar G. Epps; "Improving the Effectiveness of Urban Schools: Teacher Education" by LaMar P. Miller; "Improving the Effectiveness of Urban Schools: Citizen Participation" by Don Davies; "Improving the Effectiveness of Urban Schools: Educational Research" by Francis S. Chase. In the last section, educators describe successful programs in urban schools. Papers included are: "A Dallas Story" by Nolan Estes; "A Buffalo Story" by Eugene T. Reville; "A St. Louis Story: Magnet Schools--A Means to an End" by Robert Wentz; "A Denver Story" by James H. Daniels; and "An Oakland Story" by Rosemma B. Wallace. (Author/MK)