This volume contains papers which were presented at a conference focusing on the themes of partnership and progress in urban education. The following papers are included: (1) an introduction to the volume, by Gary Gappert; (2) "Urban Education: Past, Present and Future," by Bernard G. Watson; (3) "Variables Affecting the Learning of Inner City…

To study the number and status of homeless people in South Dakota, a questionnaire was mailed to approximately 701 persons who were likely to have knowledge of homeless people. Responses were received from 349 people. Estimated numbers of homeless people include those who live with others because they lack adequate resources to maintain a fixed,…

This report describes the implementation of the DC 21st Century Learning Centers (DC 21st CCLC) Summer 2000 program, which enrolled about 1,000 children attending 9 middle and junior high schools. The report is designed to provide feedback to managers of the DC 21st CCLC program and to inform Children and Youth Investment Partnership, of which DC…

This digest briefly describes the symptoms and "triggers" of asthma, which is an increasing problem among urban students. The digest also presents some suggestions for maintaining a school environment conducive to the attendance of children with asthma and for developing a curriculum that supports their academic achievement. Children in…

While student mobility is not a "cause" of low academic achievement, it is one of the correlates of academic performance that should be regarded as a potentially significant factor in shaping students' academic performance. In this document, the Urban Schools Initiative of the Ohio Department of Education makes several recommendations to…

The chapters in this collection, distributed to conference participants as a springboard for conference discussions, consider sustainable models for school-family-community collaboration, partnerships in education, and other ways to improve learning for urban youth. The contributions are: (1) "The Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community"…

Over 10 years, the researchers studied community-based organizations (CBO) for young people, eventually examining the work of approximately 120 youth-based organizations in 34 different cities. A look at these organizations and the young people they serve shows that CBOs offer a means of reaching at-risk youth, and that they can have a significant…

The Project Leadership-Service is based on two principles: high school students can be influential, positive role models for elementary students who learn best by example, and exemplary high school students can benefit from experiences which give them the satisfaction of helping others. (ERB)

Uses data collected from London school to explore processes through which inner-city, working-class students leave school at the age of 16. Draws attention to issues of identity and inequality. Highlights the ways in which the young people viewed themselves as "not good enough" and "knew their limits" in relation to…

Examines the influences of urbanization on the mental health and well-being of children in low-income settings. Summarizes and analyzes some current urban prevention projects. Proposes 11 interventions based on individual, family, and community strengths to promote the mental health and well-being of urban children. Contains over 100 references.…

Testifying on housing patterns in St. Louis (Missouri), this expert indicates that St. Louis has been, and continues to be, a highly racially segregated metropolitan area, where the housing effects of past discrimination have not disappeared. Schools remain an important factor in the voluntary choice of residential area. (SLD)

Describes and explains the sociolinguistic factors that affect the performance of black children speaking standard English. Uses data from a 2-year study of black speech and bidialectalism involving 40 adults and 76 students to show how the black community and its children have difficulty learning proper English because of their incompatible…

School choice is increasingly promulgated as a promising education reform policy for failing urban schools, but no solid evidence has yet shown the promise fulfilled. The authors argue that choice based on market theory without a moral center is insufficient. Without a moral foundation, such market-driven choice programs may actually disadvantage…

The Urban Education Project at Research for Better Schools has developed a conceptual framework, the Urban Learner Framework (ULF) that focuses on the central role of meaningful instruction that values the experiences and backgrounds of the learners. This new view of the urban learner presents them as capable, motivated, and resilient learners who…

This document reports the potential student retainee rates for the Austin (Texas) Independent School District at the close of the 1990-91 academic year in eight figures and 21 tables. The following are the report's major findings: (1) the retention rate for 1990-91 for kindergarten through grade 12 is 4.7 percent (0.4 percentage points lower than…