The report covers the activities, data, and data analysis of the institute. The institute was directed to 100 teachers and supervisors of Adult Basic Education (ABE) in Regions 8, 9, and 10 to acquaint them with the needs and problems of black urban adults. The two-week program was composed of two parts: (1) field trips, short lectures, and…

Develops a theoretical context for understanding the evidence on effective schools. Analyzes how effective schools have surmounted a central problem of inner-city schools, recruiting and retaining good teachers. Argues that because principals in effective schools focus on improving student achievement, teachers have concrete, realizable goals…

The author suggests that the White middle class teacher preparing to teach Black students in an inner-city school should explore his/her motives for doing so. Listed are reading materials which should be helpful to the inner-city teacher. (KC)

This monograph considers the prospects for improving teacher engagement in urban schools through professional and organizational reform. Urban education is a special context for teaching, with the complications of social, political, and organizational conditions that make the schools difficult settings. One of the problems is increasing teacher…

As part of course requirements, preservice teachers in the reading/language arts early field program at the University of Southern Mississippi write two case narratives per semester about their teaching experiences in an urban elementary school. This paper discusses the benefits of case writing for preservice teachers and explains the specific…

This monograph critiques professional development schools (PDSs) and their role in the renewal of urban schools. Chapter 1 clarifies what is meant by the PDS model and describes the central goals of PDS initiatives. Chapter 2 critically assesses the value of PDSs to school renewal and the preparation of teachers for effective work in diverse urban…

The thesis of this paper is that all children, excepting those of certifiable handicap, are educable, and the behavior of the school is critical in determining the quality of that education. Concentrating on several innercity schools in Detroit, this paper discusses the distinguishing characteristics of schools that are instructionally effective…

The social-psychological bases of programs to prepare teachers for disadvantaged youth are as important to the eventual success of the program as any technique or lesson plan which seems to be momentarily fruitful. In view of the predicted oversupply of teachers, the school system must try to select teachers who will function best in the…

This study is concerned with the effectiveness of teacher aides in the eight Indianapolis Model Cities Schools as perceived by themselves and others. These paraprofessional personnel were hired for two basic purposes: (1) to provide additional help to teachers and children in the classroom, and (2) to provide career opportunities for a limited…

There is a continuing demographic shift toward a multiethnic school population, but the teacher population includes few minorities. Teacher selection procedures should examine personal qualities such as adaptation, creativity, self-renewal, and moral orientation. Incentives for attracting minority populations to teaching are proposed. (BJV)

The research examining African American high school students' perceptions of their academic identities has been limited. Yet, multitudes of other sources have contributed to the discussion on how to reverse the perennial underachievement of many African American students. This qualitative study attempts to provide a space for African American high…

This study examined how kindergarten teachers' views of readiness (maturational, learning, or school) are influenced by students from urban, suburban, and rural areas; by minority and non-minority students; and by students from lower and middle class backgrounds. The framework for the study was the social constructivist theory, the theory that all…

This summary report presents an integration of major findings on teachers' perceptions of working conditions, based on survey and interview data from about 375 special educators in six large urban districts. The report focuses on special educators' perceptions of administrative support at two levels--building and central office. Major findings…

A women's program worked to develop procedures for assessing student progress that would help prevent the sense of failure that women reading at low grade levels often develop after failing to pass the General Educational Development (GED) Test quickly. An on-site assessment research group was formed. The group's curriculum developer created three…

This report explores issues related to accountability in the context of Children Achieving, the school reform effort of Philadelphia (Pennsylvania). The accountability system begins with content standards in English/language arts, mathematics, science, and the arts. The Stanford-9 Achievement Test has been designated to assess how students are…