The first year of school reform in Chicago was devoted to preparation for governance and the election of local school councils to serve in each school. The second year of school reform was devoted to continued preparation for governance and attempts to restructure classroom instruction. The importance of restructuring education to match how children learn is amplified by examining the research that supports four programs that are being used experimentally in 116 schools. The first program is "More Effective Schools," concentrates on having schools adopt practices to improve student attendance, behavior, and achievement. The second and third are similar programs and are entitled "Whole Language Schools" and "Coalition of Essential Schools." Program strategies include teachers as learners, explorers, coaches, and facilitators; students as active learners; interdisciplinary teaching; cooperative learning; and use of behavioral objectives. The fourth program is "Creating a New Approach to Learning"--Project CANAL. The goal is to raise the achievement level of Black and Hispanic students in Chicago schools. The content of staff training sessions to achieve this goal is outlined. An examination of the research that supports the use of each program provides substantiation for the strategies used as well as additional techniques to encourage greater effectiveness. (12 references) (RR)