1980s reform strategies amounted to fine-tuning a model T. Inner-city high schoolers' reading and writing skills cannot be improved if each teacher is responsible for 175 students. The 800 schools participating in Coalition of Essential Schools projects share certain characteristics: small size; collegiality among educators, parents, and community members; reduced faculty workload (through team teaching arrangements); and a pared-down curriculum. Choice encourages experimentation. (MLH)