A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This report was based on a study of the following nine urban elementary schools:

Harriet A. Baldwin School
Boston Public Schools, Boston, Mass.
Suzanne Lee, Principal

Baskin Elementary School
San Antonio Independent School District, San Antonio, Texas
Carmen Payne, Principal

Burgess Elementary School
Atlanta Public School District, Atlanta, Ga.
Gwendolyn Carter, Principal

Centerville Elementary School
Cahokia School District #187, East St. Louis, Ill.
Burnett Butler, Principal

Goodale Elementary School
Detroit Public Schools, Detroit, Mich.
William Batchelor, Principal

Hawley Environmental Elementary School
Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee, Wis.
Robert Helminiak, Principal

Lora B. Peck Elementary School
Houston Independent School District, Houston, Texas
LaWanna Goodwin, Principal

Gladys Noon Spellman Elementary School
Prince George?s County Public School District, Cheverly, Md.
Janet Lopez, Principal

James Ward Elementary School
Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, Ill.
Sharon R. Wilcher, Principal

Each of the nine schools allowed a team of researchers to visit their school, conduct interviews and make observations. The school personnel, parents, community members, and students generously gave of their time so that others could learn from their experiences. Their passion for excellence and dedication to children was the inspiration for this project.

This study was greatly enhanced by the expertise and wisdom of Charles Fisher from the University of Michigan, Willis Hawley from the National Partnership for Excellence in Teaching and Accountability, and Chris Dwyer, from RMC Research Corporation. Their guidance was helpful in conceptualizing, organizing, and focusing this study. Similarly, thanks are due to Daphne Hardcastle and Valena Plisko of the Planning and Evaluation Service at the U.S. Department of Education. Without their leadership, encouragement, patience, and support, this report would not exist.

Editors
Joseph F. Johnson, Jr., Ph.D.
Rose Asera, Ph.D.

Research Staff and Contributing Authors
Kimberly S. Anderson
Rose Asera, Ph.D.
Joseph F. Johnson, Jr., Ph.D.
Brent C. Jones, Ph.D.
Hsin-Tine Tina Liu
Richael D. McClure, Ph.D.
Evangelina Morales-Orozco
Mary A. Ragland
Janine Saunders
Jerrylin B. Schmidt
Pamela A. Smith
Juanita Wagstaff, Ph.D.

Reviewers
Carolyn Robinson
Darlene Yañez
Emily Johnson

Transcribers
Paula Correa
Sharon B. Gibbs
Elizabeth S. Hargrove
Judy D. Hubble

The Charles A. Dana Center
The University of Texas at Austin
Philip Uri Treisman, Ph.D., Executive Director
Joseph F. Johnson, Jr., Ph.D., Director, Collaborative for School Improvement
Rose Asera, Ph.D., Director of Research and Evaluation
Mary Ragland, Project Director
Carolyn Robinson, Administrative Associate

[Title page]

[Executive Summary]