A Decade of Urban School Reform ― Persistence and Progress in the Boston Public Schools

A consistent vision, support by the local mayor and school committee, and a superintendent in it for the long term look like the main reasons Boston has been recognized as one of the most improved urban school districts in the country. Here all concerned declare their success was more complex than merely hanging in there long enough to make changes stick, and that making Boston schools models for other urban districts came from locating, analyzing and reforming the most important characteristics of educational practice. The essays here cover the specifics, including supporting leadership transition, improving school governance, developing leadership, making the most of human resources, improving instruction, making decisions based on data, building excellent and equitable high schools, educating students with disabilities, engaging families and the community, creating systemic education reform, and developing whole-school improvement schemes. Annotation c2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)