Today there is a lot of discussion about creative economies and how cities are the engines driving growth in a variety of industries. But cities are not merely rows of buildings, or sets of laws, such as zoning ordinances or parking regulations. A city is, rather, a set of dynamic experiences that we all participate in as co(labor)ators. As a way…

A larger scale context for power teaching includes ideas from Duane Elgin, Lester Brown, Al Gore and many others. Collectively, they say the convergence of systems level global problems without national borders place before humankind a choice the species has never encountered in 195,000 years of life on "Spaceship Earth." In Elgin's…

Many attempt to address the documented achievement gap between urban and suburban students by offering special programs to enrich urban students' academic experiences and proficiencies. Such was the case in the study described by DeGennaro and Brown in which urban students participated in an after-school technology course intended to address the…

Although some educators commonly assume that the way to improve the writing of urban students is to provide "more structure," Nancy G. Patterson and Renee Speed argue that this approach can instead be detrimental. In too many cases, structure characterizes control and colonization rather than the freedom for teachers to structure their curricula…

In a decade and a half, the charter school movement has gone from a glimmer in the eyes of a few Minnesota reformers to a maturing sector of America's public education system. Now, like all 15-year-olds, chartering must find its own place in the world. First, advocates must answer a fundamental question: What type of relationship should the…

Discusses the success of past urban vocational agricultural education programs and the challenge to establish permanent programs through research and evaluation. Points out that a major commitment must be made to these programs. (JOW)

Referes to radical overhaul of organizational structures, processes, and products of the key contributing participants in the urban school setting, and applying recently developed educational technology throughout the system. Urban educators must be made to use every device, design, and system available to make the student's day profitable.…

The author describes his dismal experience as assistant principal in a large urban junior high school where few students, teachers, school board members, or administrators would admit the existence of problems associated with overcrowding, understaffing, low self-esteem, high turnover, inexperience, and poor morale, or cooperate sufficiently to…

Discusses the development and consequences of informal strategies for dealing with problem students during the 1950s and 1960s. Outlines through a series of graphs how discipline of the era affected the student population. States that the relationship between teaching authority and school bureaucracy needs to be restructured in order to raise…

Presents reflections of six teacher-researchers who participated in the Center for the Study of Writing and Literacy's M-CLASS, a project that focuses on understanding literacy in multicultural urban English and social studies classrooms. Notes that one issue the group raised is that teacher research often leads to teacher change. (PA)

Recounts some of the history of attempts to establish magnet and other voluntary, choice-oriented policies in urban school districts. Discusses the elements that must be included in programs established in those districts. (SR)

Examines what Carr found when he investigated the accuracy of David Armor's predictions on the effects of continuing and discontinuing busing in Norfolk (Virginia). Argues against Carr's assertions that because Armor's predictions were in error, there is no White flight in response to busing. (JS)

In this article, Mark R. Warren argues that if urban school reform in the United States is to be successful, it must be linked to the revitalization of the communities around our schools. Warren identifies a growing field of collaboration between public schools and community-based organizations, developing a typology that identifies three…

This paper focuses on the importance of providing students with a broad humanistic education while, at the same time, maintaining accountability to urban taxpayers. The author describes the contemporary situation of tax revolts, millage defeats, and concern over student proficiency exams, and attributes these phenomena to the public's desire to…

Urban school systems in Birmingham (Alabama), Baltimore (Maryland), and other cities have achieved large increases in student test scores by emphasizing basic skills, teacher evaluation and training, learning objectives, and strong administrative leadership. (RW)