This bulletin discusses approaches that reformers are using nationwide to bring about improvement in urban schools. It focuses on (1) embracing more choices (school vouchers, charter schools, private management, public school transfers, home schooling, enrolling high school students in community colleges, and virtual education); (2) holding…

This report draws heavily on the material already written about the programs and sites that were visited, as well as speakers at forums, presentations at roundtables, and summaries of discussion groups, available on the American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF) website. This report describes some of the common approaches, strategies, and policies that…

This study examined the meaning of inclusion to different stakeholder groups and implications for the identification of effective educational practices for students with disabilities. Twenty individuals involved in inclusive education in urban and suburban settings were interviewed, including regular education teachers, special education teachers,…

This report provides a review of the United Kingdom (UK) and international literature about initiatives to stimulate demand for post-16 learning. Chapter 1 introduces sources and method. Chapter 2 outlines the current pattern of participation in learning activity in the UK and identifies the main barriers impeding further involvement. Chapters 3-5…

Despite a myriad of school reform efforts, inner-city schools, attended for the most part by poor and working-class Black and Latino children, are failing to prepare students for our highly complex and changing world. This book suggests that reform efforts have failed because they focused upon school-based solutions and paid scant attention to the…

The Experience Corps Program, which was initiated in 1996 in New York's South Bronx, connects retirees with children in elementary schools. The Experience Corps' volunteers, who are mostly lifelong residents of the South Bronx, work a minimum of 15 hours each week throughout the school year as mentors, tutors, and special assistants. Since 1997,…

Examines the relative effectiveness of two different chemistry curricula. African American students enrolled in an inner-city high school who took ChemCom, a Science-Technology-Society-based science curriculum employing cooperative learning as an integral component, scored significantly higher gains on a standardized measure of chemistry…

Reviews the four articles in this special theme issue. Relates the articles to a broadened understanding of the concept of integration and its implications for education in the next century. (FMW)

Reports on a survey of attitudes and teaching methods of 20 selected music teachers from large urban areas in the United States. Discusses the teachers' opinions and suggestions on preservice teacher education, classroom techniques, and improvement of urban music education. Includes survey questions and teacher responses. (CFR)

Describes a study that provided innercity fourth grade African-American students in Texas with hardware to participate in a telecommunications network to determine whether participation would increase their scores on statewide fifth grade math tests. Time online, content of programs, connections between math and language arts, and student…

Explores the role of parent involvement and bilingual education in improving the educational experience of language minority students, particularly in urban settings. Asks whether parent involvement is a feasible solution, and looks at the chance that bilingual education will decrease dropouts and empower students. (JB)

Mass testing as a phenomena of global educational restructuring exacerbates social class differences. This phenomenon is examined via inner-city Winnipeg's experience, cross-cultural educational literature, and the Manitoba government's tendency to reinforce the underdevelopment of core area regions. Emerging resistance to educational…

This study examined the effects of four preservice teacher education courses (two in multicultural education, a field experience, and student teaching in urban areas) on preservice teachers' perceptions of their multicultural knowledge and attitudes. Findings indicated that subjects' perceptions of multicultural knowledge and attitudes were…

Cognition, mind, counseling psychology, lesson plans, learning styles, and Vygotsky are just a few of the many subjects discussed in this exciting work. Educators, students, counselors, parents, and others will find new understanding as they read and browse. How does the immigrant experience affect student outcomes? What are the effects of poverty…

The qualitative inquiry reported here describes the particular sociocultural aspects of an urban elementary school serving as the context for an award-winning reading/language arts early field experience, and takes a close look at how the sociocultural factors of this urban elementary school contribute to the professional development of the…