This article builds a case for nuanced conceptualizations of "urban" and "-suburban" educational contexts and issues. The author analyzes data across two studies--one of upper-middle-class White parents with children in Chicago public schools, and the other of Black low-income and working-class parents who moved from Chicago to…

In 1987, the Illinois State Board of Education committed itself to adopt and expand policies, procedures, and programs addressing the problems of at-risk children and youth. To address issues involving early intervention, early childhood education, minority achievement, urban education, truancy prevention, and alternative education, the board…

The major issue in urban education is class conflict. The polarity of the "haves" and "have-nots" limits the schools' services to the latter group because of the generally moderate stance of most liberal school board members and their insufficient zeal in pressing the grievances of the have-nots. Bureaucratic resistance and the…