Context: Policymakers have increasingly advocated for incentive-based approaches for improving urban schools. Purpose of the study: Few studies have examined the implementation of incentive based approaches in the urban charter school context. This paper presents research findings from a 4-year longitudinal study of the implementation of a…

Explores the complex educational and social conditions facing African American males in public schools, highlighting the effectiveness of comprehensive school reform to overcome barriers to these students' learning (e.g, concentrated poverty, drug use, and violence). Discusses the importance of cultural relevance and teacher-student cultural…

Many black male adolescent high school students are at risk of academic failure due to complex institutional and socioeconomic factors they face within their schools and communities. Examines these challenges, highlighting such issues as socioeconomic status, social barriers, and the limited numbers of African American teachers available. Notes…

This book offers an alternative to current reform efforts, the talent development approach, detailing organizational, curricular, and instructional strategies that provide practitioners with a blueprint for whole school reform. The book presents the story of what happened in urban high schools when this approach was implemented. There are eight…

Discusses the need for comprehensive reforms in school organization, curriculum and instruction, and professional development to address the problems of large urban high schools. Describes the Talent Development High School with Career Academies model being developed to meet the needs of such schools. (SLD)