Presents multilevel analyses of a large-scale educational improvement effort conducted in seven urban schools over a two-year period. Consistent high-to-moderate relationships were found between observed level of model implementation and classroom achievement gains in reading. Concludes that major improvement in inner-city schools is possible. (DR)

An ethnographic case study was conducted in an inner city elementary school in Montreal. Focus was on how teachers (1) formulate assumptions about pupil behavior on past experience; (2) group a heterogeneous student population less on ability than on practical organizational interests; and (3) allow pedagogical circumstances to affect perception…

An example presented from a teacher's perspective illustrates the implementation of shared governance procedures that allowed teachers to demonstrate leadership, increased confidence in the system, and enhanced awareness of the process of accomplishing change. By improving teacher-administrator communication, shared governance is seen as removing…

This paper reports on a study investigating the issues that most significantly influence urban special education teachers' decisions to leave the field voluntarily or transfer to a different type of educational position. First, it presents the results of post-attrition interviews with 17 special educators who left their positions during or…

The type of reading teacher needed to teach reading at all grade levels in urban schools is characterized, and the habits and attitudes necessary for success are identified. The teacher needs to be (1) cognizant of the attitudes, misunderstandings, and prejudices of his colleagues; (2) aware of the possible hostility of his students, but sensitive…

This paper explores the concept of "at-riskness" as defined by Head Start and elementary school professionals who work together in the same building. Using Bruner's (1996) idea of "folk theories," the authors show that the two groups' theories of at-riskness conflict and discuss how these definitions impact their practice with…

Based in part on the author's doctoral study, Rutgers University, 1968. (RD)

Author relates experiences as a new black principal, facing at first a hostile group of non-productive teachers in a school with many problems. Chronologically presents the changes the school underwent to become one with greatly improved teaching and one in which the students disliked to be absent. (DM)

Examines causes of urban teacher burnout; offers suggestions to secondary urban reading teachers on ways to experiment with methods of evaluation, instruction, and selection of materials, as well as on ways to achieve self-growth and to model for their students continuous effort toward learning. (GT)

Elementary school teachers (N=108) completed Teacher Assessment of Self-Control Skills on their students; Teacher Self-Control Rating Scale and Teacher-Child Rating Scale for four students. Found significant relationships between self-controlling skills and ratings of self-control and adjustment in upper grades; significant differences in level of…

Examines K-2 teachers' perceptions and evaluations of how students (who spoke marginalized or stigmatized varieties of English) in a low-income, multiethnic, inner-city school answer classroom questions. Finds ambiguity in teacher questions which created problems for students accustomed to different discourse practices. Works with the teachers to…

This study analyzed the effectiveness of a mentoring program in which 18 experienced teachers were released from teaching duties to act as full-time mentors for 10 new teachers each in an urban school district. Analysis of data gathered via surveys of and interviews with beginning teachers, principals, and mentors indicated that: (1) teaching in a…

BECAUSE OF THE TEACHER'S FEAR OF DIFFICULT SCHOOLS, HER RESISTANCE TO TEACHING IN THEM, AND HER LACK OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE LOWER CLASS CHILD, HUNTER COLLEGE'S PROJECT TRUE SET UP A PROGRAM ORIENTING EDUCATION STUDENTS TO LOWER CLASS CULTURE. THE STUDENTS' REACTIONS WERE STUDIED TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THEIR NEGATIVE ATTITUDES CHANGED. FOUR…

This study sought to determine whether Chicago Public School teachers are more involved in shared decision making since the Chicago School Reform 1988. A review of literature on shared decision making yielded inconclusive results. While some studies concluded that shared decision making is imperative, other studies suggested that school climate,…