This report on the Detroit Great Cities School Improvement Program (begun in 1959 and subsequently aided by Federal funds) is punctuated throughout by individual case histories, and describes in a loose narrative fashion the compensatory and special education projects, mental health and guidance services, and skill training centers for low income youth and adults. Also described are junior high and senior high school work training programs, preschool programs, and teacher-aide training programs. Appendix gives summary accounts of research data on which the narrative is based. (KG)