The rhetoric on improving education goes on, but it must stop, says this writer. Concrete action must take the place of ineffectual talk. The Richmond, Va., public schools are cited here as an example of progress that can occur when strong administration joins forces with good classroom teaching. (Editor)

Article considered a book which is, in a measure, a case study of a large Philadelphia high school spinning off some alternative units in an attempt to humanize learning for its predominantly black student population. (Author/RK)

A case study of a once declining and troubled vocational school that is now a new, comprehensive high school. (Author)

Offers recommendations to improve the present inequitable method of financing urban education. Recommendations include full state funding, increased federal aid, increased accountability, and increased emphasis on program improvement. (IRT)

Argues that the problems of urban education can be solved by improving the quality of teaching, and presents a list of teacher behaviors and attitudes that are indicative of good teaching. (JG)

Describes and assesses the success of New York City's Hillcrest High School, an educational alternative offering a variety of courses and services. (DS)

Because teacher education does not prepare prospective teachers for the realities of innercity schools, this responsibility lies with the administrator. Principals must take the time to demythologize the students, the environment, and the culture. This approach will enable teachers to stay and provide the continuity and stability often missing…

This article sketches the background of current problems facing urban secondary school principals and cites a profile of the effective urban principal derived from recent research. Outstanding problems concerning the conditions and role of the urban principalship are discussed. (MJL)

Offers suggestions for making urban communities efficient, attractive, safe, and supportive of education. Advises urban school leaders to set high expectations for students, build less bureaucratic administrative structures, initiate a comprehensive renewal program, and create a support network beyond the school. Includes 10 references. (MLH)

Recent trends are reviewed in support of the contention that urban education is returning to the educational mainstream. The emphasis on professional accountability and the principal as instructional leader, the promise of effective schools research, stronger school-business relationships, and more effective public relations are discussed. (MJL)

This summary of a study describing the communications of school administrators and teachers and the degree of congruency between principals' and teachers' instructional intentions and students' and teachers' perceptions of classroom events concludes by proposing Rensis Likert's overlapping work groups as a more effective organizational pattern for…

This essay contends that the neglect of urban education inherent in the Reagan administration's policy of phasing out federal support for education establishes an environment threatening to the nation. It is argued that investment in human resources now will lead to payoffs in future tax contributions. (MJL)

The principal of a new high school in New York City, which is to serve as a model for innovative practices, describes how his school's program is attempting to establish an educational environment that will meet the anticipated needs of all students. (Editor)