In April 1984, more than 350 parents, teachers, principals and administrators from major urban school systems in Massachusetts met to define what an "excellent" desegregated urban public school system should be. This conference report, following excerpts from a keynote address by John E. Durkin, documents seven workshops which focused on the following strategies for excellence: (1) the role of magnet schools; (2) systems of parental and teacher choice; (3) greater parent, student and public involvement; (4) superior staff development and parent involvement programs; (5) outstanding programs for bilingual and special needs students; (6) the development of district-wide systems of evaluation and accountability; and (7) new uses for high technology. A summary list of recommendations that workshop participants drew up for State education officials and State legislators also is included. In addition, the formation of a Superintendent's consortium of urban school students, which grew out of the conference, is outlined, and its activities for the future are described. The conference schedule, as well as a list of all practitioners who made presentations during the workshops, are appended. (RDN)