Diverse school populations, desegregation and integration, minority-majority group splits, institutional racism, and the singularity of school norms are significant factors which affect respect for individual differences within urban schools. These facts illustrate the need for adoption of education that is multicultural to effect systematic…

The papers presented in this document are the following: (1) "Historic Roles of Public Education" by Faustine C. Jones, (2) "The Social Costs and Benefits of Public Education" by Bernard C. Watson, (3) "School Inequality in the Emerging Welfare State: Does It Make Sense?" by John D. Owen, (4) "Investment and Disinvestment in Public Education" by…

The Urban High School Reform Initiative was a Federal effort designed to review the educational and related needs of large city high school students, explore the Federal role in urban secondary education, and develop recommendations for a more effective Federal response to the continuing needs of these students and schools. This report contains…

The bureaucratic model for administering urban educational systems is dysfunctional for a number of reasons. It adheres to a philosophical stance which addresses the needs of others than those it serves. It fails to address the human side of enterprise and is designed to maintain the status quo. Finally, it fails to deliver quality education so…

This paper analyzes some of the causes of urban educational problems. The major focus is on poverty, racial isolation, and the educational bureaucracy. These factors are discussed in some detail. In a section devoted to attempts to change the educational situation several avenues and approaches are presented. Most crucial is the broadening of…

This chapter traces the migration from farms to cities and the later movement from cities to suburbs and discusses the impact of the resulting big city environment on the governance of big city education. The author (1) suggests how local, State, and Federal governments can improve big city education; (2) discusses ways of planning for the future…

Segregation still exists in several hundred major school districts. Thus the court cases will go on for some time. Some states may want to save time and develop desegregation plans before a case is brought against them. Plans must include educational improvement and some effort to involve metropolitan areas. (VM)

This report highlights results from the 1999 Wingspread Conference on improving student achievement, a gathering of educators, leaders, and policymakers that opened a dialogue about barriers to full implementation of high standards for all students. Participants discussed five papers that examined these issues from top to bottom--from the…

Urban schools in America seek solutions to problems caused by outside elements. Instead, the focus should be on basic dilemmas and detriments within the schools. Twelve internal changes could occur immediately in all American urban schools to bring improved choices, research, and leadership to administration and faculty. (SB)

Controlled choice is a student assignment plan that divides a city into zones within which students may select a school to attend as long as balanced racial ratios are maintained. It is seen as an equitable way of deploying common community educational resources to guarantee student diversity and school improvement. (AF)

Considers the state of the urban public education system in Chicago (Illinois). Addresses the effects of demographic and economic changes, the role of Benjamin Coppage Willis as superintendent of the Chicago schools, and the effects of inequality and plans for desegregation. (CMK)

The Regional Educational Laboratory Program is the U.S. Department of Education's largest research and development investment designed to help educators, policymakers, and communities improve schools and help all students attain their potential. The network of 10 regional laboratories works to ensure that those involved in education improvement at…

This document outlines 44 strategies for meeting the educational needs of urban areas by the year 2000. The strategies are based on six goals for urban education adapted from the national education goals issued by President George Bush and the National Governors' Association. The strategies were proposed by representatives from more than 70…

The Bronx Education Endowment Fund (BEEF), established in 1985, provides mini-grants of up to $100 to fund simple projects aimed at educational improvement. During the first two years of the program, 18 mini-grants were awarded to 16 teachers, one student, and one parent organization. A large number of both regular and special education students,…

Eighteen major research projects on education and schools in the United States are described in this report. Foci of these projects include: (1) curriculum and classroom environments that make for effective learning; (2) the development of approaches for improving educational quality; (3) basic values in American education; and (4) restructuring…