This paper attempts to provide some answers to two questions: What are the distinctive challenges of urban education (especially in London) and how can schools help to meet them? Using theoretical frameworks derived from the writings of two leading scholars of the urban, Manuel Castells and David Harvey, this paper argues that the challenges…

Students enrolled in EXTRA, a tutorial program in basic reading and mathematics skills, were compared with non-EXTRA students to measure the program's success. EXTRA achieved success in mathematics tutorials but not in its reading program. Implications of findings are reviewed. (Author/DF)

The Assistant Superintendent for Research, Planning, and Evaluation for Detroit Public Schools discusses his views on: (1) urban education; (2) federal, state, and local initiatives for urban educational improvement; (3) urban educational research; (4) the link between instruction and educational evaluation; and (5) circumstances associated with…

Three strategies for implementing self-renewal by urban schools are discussed-- technical assistance, content training for staff, and process consultation between specialists and staff. (JD)

Describes Network in the Schools (NIS), a project to enhance teens' academic achievement and self-esteem, which uses small group classroom discussions regarding self-affirmation, social concerns, self-improvement, and reflection, and meetings for group sharing and self-expression. Presents findings that the program results in enhanced parent…

Examines the ways in which the interpretation of a literary text is constructed through social interaction in a multi-ethnic urban secondary school English classroom. Suggests that despite the exhaustive regulation of literacy and school English, some English teachers, while still curriculum and examination focused, have connections between texts…

Offers suggestions for making urban communities efficient, attractive, safe, and supportive of education. Advises urban school leaders to set high expectations for students, build less bureaucratic administrative structures, initiate a comprehensive renewal program, and create a support network beyond the school. Includes 10 references. (MLH)

Considers current research on students' intertextual encounters. Examines the relationship between intertextuality and inquiry learning and how developing pedagogy on the basis of these fields provides students with larger arenas in which to make intellectual connections. Evaluates benefits of multitext inquiry by describing how at-risk urban…

The Abell Foundation commissioned this study to examine the potential of dual college enrollment and similar learning options for students enrolled in Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS) high schools. What is the potential of dual enrollment as a strategy to improve high school completion rates, ease the transition to college for…

In this article, the authors introduce a novel way, using the metaphor of a baseball game, to evaluate and measure community college student progress for those whose stated goal is to transfer to a 4-year institution and, ultimately, earn a bachelor's degree. The proposed framework of "the Transfer Game" is an outgrowth of the Transfer…

The effective schools approach has had its best success in small- and medium-sized systems with an insistent superintendent and board of education. Restructuring, like the effective schools movement, is the invention of urban educators confronting the necessities of poor and minority students. School effectiveness strengths need to be incorporated…

A community resource program, Minds in the Making, was designed to expand the existing elementary program for gifted and talented students in an urban district to include typically underserved populations. Qualitative assessment by students, teachers, and the community indicated the program met its goals. The program was also successfully…

This article compares student achievement of fourth graders in charter schools and district public schools in Newark, New Jersey. We find that Newark and New Jersey's charter schools mirror the educational inequalities of the state as a whole, as well as its Abbott Districts. The data indicate that charter schools are similar to district urban…

This report by the Superintendent of schools in Washington, D.C., describes the activities and progress of the school system for the year 1986-87. It is the 21st largest school district in the United States, and one of the most culturally diverse. Progress is reported on all levels, with particular attention to the computer literacy program, which…

This interim evaluation report of the St. Louis, Missouri Urban Consumer Education Project assesses program effectiveness in terms of teacher training and teacher knowledge of consumer basics, community resource participation, and student and teacher knowledge. The project was designed to teach fifth grade students their rights and…