In November 1991 a survey was conducted of all students in Toronto (Ontario, Canada) secondary schools. The initial report gave demographic information about the student population. This report includes subgroup profiles, such as the characteristics of female versus male students, the similarities and differences among racial and ethnic groups,…

The following two types of student mobility stand out as causing educational problems: (1) inner-city mobility, which is prompted largely by fluctuations in the job market; and (2) intra-city mobility, which is caused by upward mobility or by poverty and homelessness. Most research indicates that high mobility negatively affects student…

Independent neighborhood schools are meeting the academic, social, and cultural needs of African American, Hispanic American, Latino American, Native American and Asian American children when viewed from a broad spectrum of criteria for individual and institutional success. Hundreds of these institutions provide full-time academic programs,…

This report evaluates the Des Moines (Iowa) Independent Community School District (DMICSD) Intercultural programs. The following types of programs are in place: (1) a Voluntary Transfer Program; (2) paired schools; (3) magnet schools; (4) Extended Day Kindergarten; (5) English as a Second Language (ESL)/Bilingual Education; (6) a Bilingual…

In response to state legislation specifying criteria by which schools should identify elementary school and secondary school students at risk of dropping out, schools in the Austin (Texas) Independent School District reported students who were at risk in 1990-91. The operational definitions for the state criteria for grades 7-12 include age,…

This document reports on the Chicago public high school improvement plans for the 1990-91 school year submitted during the summer of 1990 in response to the Chicago Public Schools Reform Act of 1988 (PA85-1418). Following background information on Chicago's public high schools, the purpose of PA85-1418 is explained as well as improvement plan…

This report presents the results of a survey of large school systems conducted between 1977-80. The purpose of the survey was to identify schools with promising programs and developments, especially those with the possibility of system-wide application. A total of 33 public school systems with 599 programs were studied. In the report, research…

This paper explores the links between student achievement and parent involvement, the importance of continuity between home and school, three philosophies underlying parent programs, and effective practices in parent involvement. The three philosophies considered are those of school-to-home transmission, interactive learning, and partnership for…

An increase in gang violence and mobility in the last 20 years has alarmed members of the public school community. Gang membership, formation, location, and growth are described. Strategies to counteract gang activity, such as school discipline policies, school and community prevention programs, information sharing networks, and state legislation,…

The New York City Staff Development Program for Bilingual/English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) Teachers and School Building Supervisors was designed to provide public school personnel working with limited English proficient children in grades five through eight with an overview of issues pertinent to the instruction of this population. The program…

Direct interviews with 17 teachers and observation in 31 rural and urban Venezuelan classrooms (pre-school through grade 6 in nine schools) across 3 states revealed serious reading difficulties among Venezuelan students. Small rooms and multi-grade class situations were common and school supplies and equipment were scarce. Even more scarce were…

Recent research shows no significant educational benefits from providing summer schools, extended school years, or year-round schooling to disadvantaged students. However, the severe educational difficulties faced by these students, combined with the many practical reasons for deviating from the traditional school year, are strong reasons why…

This document on the working conditions of urban teachers reports data from a survey of 31 elementary, middle, and secondary schools in five urban school districts. More than 400 interviews were conducted with teachers, school administrators, central office personnel, district officials, board members, and union officials. The observations,…

Although nearly 90,000 students in the New York (New York) public schools participate in bilingual education programs and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, insufficient data are available to conduct effective program evaluations. The school system's bilingual and ESL programs achieved their size and permanence as a result of two…

This report identifies the strategies that multiproblem urban school districts have used to make major improvements in recent years. A panel of experts familiar with urban school systems nominated over 30 candidate urban districts for study. The following districts were chosen for analysis: (1) Atlanta (Georgia); (2) Cincinnati (Ohio); (3) Memphis…