Two aging structures were replaced by Central High School in an Indiana steel town. Planning, board and administrator support, and community involvement eased negative attitudes toward the high school closures and resulted in a $36 million school that has unified the city and will serve it for over 50 years. (MLF)

Developed for work in mental health agencies, cultural proficiency is a relatively new approach to diversity that can be applied in educational and community settings. Cultural proficiency refers to the policies and practices of a school or the behaviors of a person that enable the school or person to interact effectively in a culturally diverse…

Discusses how a recent New York State Supreme Court decision ordering the repair of all facilities within the New York City School system could have far-reaching implications for other districts. The school system's history of school building neglect that prompted the Court's decision and the decision's effect are examined as are similar…

Describes how extraordinary collaborations between agencies, educators, architects, and others created special places to learn within the New York City school system. Discusses this group approach in fostering commitment and achieving success in creating innovative educational facility designs. (GR)

Discusses the need for the community to support the process and outcome of planning their new schools. Describes how two Cincinnati (Ohio) school districts, one rural and one urban, made it happen. (GR)

The Paterson, New Jersey, schools developed the Cognitive Instruction Project (CIP) to improve academic achievement among the urban poor in the early elementary grades. Provides a detailed description of the design and implementation of the project. Includes references. (MD)

Outlines the Mathematics and Science Relicensing Program developed by the New York City Board of Education to resolve problem of a shortage of science and math teachers in New York City schools. Working with nearby universities, teachers already working in the system are retrained. This overcomes high cost of initiating new teachers into a system…

The teacher supply-demand characteristics at a large urban school district are quantitatively assessed using a set of differential equations based upon the Arrow-Capron model and a 17-year database. Includes five tables. (MD)

This guide is designed to help art education providers develop sustained arts education partnerships in the New York City schools. Although the manual is written primarily for cultural and community organizations, it contains much useful information for school-based educators. In contrast to a service provider model, a partnership model requires…

Written as a practical guide for mayors, civic leaders, and school board members, this book describes the politics of reform in urban school systems and clarifies options available to community leaders seeking to improve school performance. Drawing lessons from six U.S. cities that have made concerted efforts to improve their schools, the volume…

Urban parents, particularly those who are poor and members of a minority group, are intimidated by the schools that serve their children and, therefore, do not participate in school programs. This article suggests steps urban principals can take to establish an effective parent involvement program. (Author/WD)

Examines how to improve urban schools, outlining 14 strategies that urban educators can consider as they seek to handle the unique problems confronting urban students. Strategies include increasing the availability of well-planned early childhood education programs, increasing student time on task by lengthening the school year, developing…

Considers how the closure and consolidation of schools are seen by cash-strapped boards of education as means to save money. Addresses the same "seven red herrings" or arguments that are repeated loudly and angrily to officials as they go through the process of public consultation. (SG)

Describes the author's reactions to Denny Taylor and Catherine Dorsey-Gaines' book "Growing Up Literate: Learning from Inner-City Families" which attempts to alter the popular perception that poor, inner-city children grow up in homes bereft of any sense of family and devoid of significant models of literate behavior. (RS)

Presents a list of construction cost comparisons from 25 selected metropolitan markets across the United States. Costs are shown on a square foot basis and for the basic building itself during the years of 1997 and 1998 with the percentage change. Vocational schools are included along with elementary and secondary school buildings. (GR)