In 1980, the Office for Minority Education of the Educational Testing Service sponsored a conference to explore the theme of fostering excellence for minority public school students. Each of the papers included in this book provides a different perspective on the conference's theme. Stephen J. Wright gives an extensive look at the evolution of minority student education, highlighting the problems that have been faced and those yet to be faced. Ronald R. Edmonds, Richard J. Murnane, and Michael H. Kean cite the results of their own efforts to uncover strategies for accurately assessing the effectiveness of schools in promoting positive student performance; they focus, respectively, on a school improvement project, teacher effectiveness, and reading achievement. William M. Boyd, II, challenges the attitude that today's students are unable or unwilling to learn, citing the success of A Better Chance, Inc., in identifying and providing support to highly competitive and talented minority high-school-aged students. Virginia C. Shipman's paper highlights factors that facilitate or inhibit the growth and development of children considered disadvantaged. Tommy M. Tomlinson presents a model for assessing the potential for, and context for, a school having a positive impact on any student. Finally, Ernest Q. Campbell looks back at the era of the first Coleman report; examines the academic, political, and social issues highlighted by the conference theme; and makes recommendations for future inquiries on schooling. (Author/CMG)