Over a decade ago, the first edition of "City Schools and the American Dream" debuted just as reformers were gearing up to make sweeping changes in urban education. Despite the rhetoric and many reform initiatives, urban schools continue to struggle under the weight of serious challenges. What went wrong and is there hope for future…

"Get-tough" measures don't address the causes of school violence or explain schools' increasing vulnerability to its occurrence. The legacy of social control profoundly influences school culture. Truly safe urban schools are small and treat kids like individuals; involve parents; create a supportive, aesthetically appealing environment; and stress…