A three-day conference on effective schools sponsored by the National Committee for Citizens in Education brought educational researchers, school practitioners, and parents together to discuss a promising approach for restoring the quality of urban schools. This paper, a report of the conference, provides a succinct review of the literature on effective schools, listing school characteristics that appear to be linked to student achievement and factors that are apparently not related to student achievement. In addition it summarizes the conference proceedings (including the results of a preconference survey of participants) and the consensus reached on strong leadership, the ingredients of effective schools, goals and objectives, parent and community participation, expectations for students, school climate, and inservice training. A minority report is also reviewed and collective actions suggested for the future. The question of what makes an effective school generated answers from three different perspectives--those of practitioners, parents, and researchers. In conclusion, the report points out implications of the effective practices discussed during the symposium. (WD)