Results are presented from the first interim assessment of the School Improvement Project conducted by the Documentation Unit of the Metropolitan Educational Development and Research Project. The primary goal of the project is to assist participating schools in the processes of self-improvement through the establishment of a school-based planning committee representing the various constituencies making up the school. Democratic school community participation and decision-making are emphasized. The attention of the participants is directed to instructional, curricular, and administrative needs of the schools through the practice of ongoing planning and evaluation. The focus of the assessment was the activities of the first year of program implementation in New York City schools. The organizational location, funding, objectives, activities, and staffing of the project are discussed, followed by a description of the Documentation Unit and the methodology of the interim project assessment. (Author/GK)