This book is a case study illustrating how one urban school district overcame barriers to allow for effective communication across ethnic and socioeconomic lines, enabling the community to build consensus on new policies and programs for elementary and middle school students at risk for educational failure. The information presented here will be of interest to all urban educators who believe that current policies and programs for at-risk students are failing and who are seeking new answers and ways forward.

The Authors: Lionel H. Brown holds a B.F.A., B.S., M.S., and Ed.D. from the University of Cincinnati. He is retired from the Cincinnati Public Schools, where he served as principal of Bloom Junior High School and Withrow Senior High School and as district Deputy Superintendent. Currently, Dr. Brown is Assistant Professor in the Division of Educational Studies and Leadership Programs, College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, at the University of Cincinnati. He has published extensively in the areas of urban education and urban educational leadership, including articles in Urban Education, Perspectives on Urban Education, The Urban Review, Journal of School Leadership, The School Community Journal, Education and Urban Society, and the International Electronic Journal for Leadership in Learning. Kelvin S. Beckett holds a B.A. and M.A. from the University of British Columbia and a Ph.D. from the University of London. He has taught in schools and universities in Canada and the United States. Currently, Dr. Beckett is Adjunct Lecturer in the Division of Educational Studies and Leadership Programs, College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, at the University of Cincinnati. He has published in the areas of philosophy of education and urban education, including articles in Educational Theory, Journal of Philosophy of Education, The Urban Review, Journal of School Leadership, The School Community Journal, and Education and Urban Society.