This report contains a series of essays dealing with strategies to reduce isolation in metropolitan areas. Social isolation is defined as that which affects groups or individuals in such a manner as to limit or deny their access to, and to bar their freedom to choose among the options which society offers to a majority of citizens. Two models (analytical and functional) for the reduction of isolation in metropolitan areas are proposed. A guide for the reduction of isolation in metropolitan areas is described. This guide is designed to help concerned individuals to examine the problems and to search for solutions, and has 5 elements: (1) identification of the extent of isolation; (2) involving leaders and individuals; (3) developing strategies; (4) implementing the action; and (5) evaluation. Essays concerning litigation, proposed solutions, and research on desegregation discuss themes such as: (1) metropolitan school desegregation litigation; (2) pursuing metropolitan desegregation in the courts; (3) isolation in metropolitan education and the impact of the courts; (4) the urban fiscal crisis (5) nonpublic schools and public school education; (6) the higher education system and public school isolation; (7) metropolitan research designs; and (8) factors affecting reduction of isolation in public education. (Author/AM)