This analysis of the Boston (Massachusetts) Public School System considers ways of advancing the opportunity for parent choice of school and program, and ways of breaking the bureaucratic culture of big-city American public schools to introduce a culture promoting innovation and experiment. The Boston public schools system, like large urban districts everywhere, is in trouble, facing low achievement, high dropout rates, white flight, the threat of violence, and administrative problems. Nevertheless, there are outposts of hope in the system's 117 schools, and a growing consensus exists on the necessity of serious reform. This study combines an analysis of school and staff documents, a review of secondary materials, and reports from other districts and leading educators, with data from 50 interviews of Boston administrators and teachers. All evidence points to institutionalized gridlock in the system. Chapters 1 and 2 examine major reform efforts in terms of school choice and school-based management, while Chapter 3 reviews the importance of a vital school culture and community. Chapter 4 examines the role of leadership, and Chapter 5 proposes a plan for encouraging such leadership. Chapter 6 urges a core curriculum. Chapter 7 reviews the budget and effective spending, and Chapters 8 and 9 review mandated special education and bilingual education. Chapter 10 analyzes current school staffing needs. (SLD)