This article analyzes teaching that begins with the realities, ideologies, and articulations of dispossessed youth of color to shift perceptions of cultural deficits into potential academic strengths that are also critical. Drawing on culturally relevant, critical pedagogical, and critical literacy theories to understand the educational needs of…

Considers magnet school programs in eight cities and concludes that the integrative function of these schools is questionable. Proposes that the goal of improving educational opportunity through magnet schools effects only a small number of students. (Author/MK)

Suggesting that women are at a disadvantage in cities and towns, discusses experiences of women at home, working women, women traveling, shopping, and growing old in cities. Includes suggestions for studying women in cities. (JN)

The adoption of the business efficiency model by school administrators during the early decades of this century and its ramifications for teachers' work has been well chronicled. In this article, teachers themselves recall their responses to "efficiency" in Pittsburgh schools. (LHW)

This report presents the text of hearings on urban education and focuses on what makes urban schools effective instruments of learning and why urban school students consistently achieve above national norms on standardized reading, writing, and mathematics tests. Specifically considered are (1) the impact of the federal government's budget cuts on…

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)

This report presents findings from a survey of parents' and students' opinions regarding the desegregation effort and educational quality of Seattle, Washington schools in 1978-1979. Generally, parents responding to the survey indicated satisfaction with most aspects of their children's education. Areas of lowest satisfaction, however, included…

The dramatic change in parents' involvement in their children's primary education in England over the last 15 years is exemplified by the case of one inner-city Liverpool school's successful parent-school partnership program. Among other improvements, substantial gains in reading scores are attributed to parent assistance. (MJL)

When administrators base plans and actions on the particular life circumstances and conditions of parents, effective school-home relations result. This article suggests different emphases in urban versus rural and elementary versus secondary settings. (Author/LHW)

Today's urban schools are facing an uphill battle. These schools confront a number of challenges that their rural, and even suburban, counterparts do not. Problems include over-crowded classrooms, dilapidated facilities, lack of equipment, teacher shortages, and low student achievement. Furthermore, students in inner cities must often deal with…

The Urban Initiative of the New Jersey Department of Education commits large numbers of its staff to a variety of efforts to improve schooling in the State's urban areas. It also represents an effort to develop a programmatic response that is rooted in research to the problems of urban education. In broad outline, the initiative is a…

Discusses ways in which an inner city Catholic school in Albany, New York, whose students are 97% non-Catholic, continues its mission. The school incorporates other religions into its religious instruction, and offers student-led para-liturgical services in various faith traditions. Argues that in urban Catholic schools, ecumenism is necessary.…

Discusses the importance of organization beliefs, values, and ideology to the internal environment of the organization. Applies the idea of culture development within the system to the workings of schools. Discusses how rites move from the individual to the organization and eventually affect the effectiveness of the organization. (JS)

The 1984-85 age-grade distribution for the New York City Public Schools shows that one-third of the city's approximately 850,000 general education and resource room students were above the standard age for their grade. The proportion of overage students increased in the upper grades; in grades nine, ten, and eleven, over half were above standard…

This report presents the results of a survey of Seattle, Washington teachers and administrators on desegregation planning and implementation. In the first section an assessment of district sponsored human relations courses and other staff development activities by participating teachers and administrators is provided. The second and third sections…