Lisa Gonsalves is Assistant Professor at the Graduate College of Education, University of Massachusetts, Boston. She also serves as Faculty Coordinator of the Teach Next Year Professional Development School Teacher Preparation Program at Dorchester High School.John Leonard is Headmaster, Economics and Business Academy, Dorchester Education Complex, Boston Public Schools.

"This book is the story of Dorchester High School in Boston. The groundwork for this case study is represented in great detail with a general history of schooling from 1945 to 2006, along with a thorough description of the impact of government mandates and their effects on schools like Dorchester High School, beginning in the late 1980s. There is little doubt that education since the 1960s has become more complex and unsettled. Such factors as a growing diversity in student population, students with special educational needs, and students with bilingual issues are all affecting our schools and testing educators, including those at Dorchester High. Authors Gonsalves and Leonard believe that the average urban high school is unable to fix itself. They state that the circle of responsibility extends far beyond the rolls of the school, and that a cultural reform strategy in this expanded community is a requirement for real school improvement. They intend to demonstrate how an alignment of forces, including businesses, legislative leaders, and involved educators, could significantly reform a school. They present numerous and varied stories that underscore the importance of how community partners facing unique challenges can work together to renew and reform our schools. Recommended. All levels." - Choice

• ForewordixPreface and AcknowledgmentsxiList of AbbreviationsxviiChapter 1. Introduction: Reforming our Most Troubled Urban High Schools1The History of Dorchester High School 1945 to 20067Chapter 2. Demographics, Discrimination, and Decline:The Destruction of Dorchester High 1945 to 19709Chapter 3. The Fragmentation of Culture and Community: The Long, Slow Decline of Dorchester High School 1969 to 198223Chapter 4. Help Is on the Way: The Community Comes to Dorchester High School 1982 to 198937Chapter 5. Reports from the Circus: The Community Goes After the School Committee 1982 to 199151Chapter 6. Back to Square One at Dorchester High School 1989 to 199559Chapter 7. The Community Returns to Dorchester High School 1996 to 199975Chapter 8. Bruises and Betrayals: The Last Years of Dorchester High School 1999 to 200385Chapter 9. Learning how to Educate Together: The Hope and Promise of Small High Schools 2003 to 2006109Lessons Learned for Urban Education135Introduction137Chapter 10. A Conceptual Framework for Enacting Cultural Reform in Struggling Urban High Schools: Re-engaging the Community139Chapter 11. School Culture and School Partnerships157Chapter 12. Consider the Challenges of Urban Adolescents183Chapter 13. The Ecological Systems Model and the Development of the School Leader199Chapter 14. School Values and Moral Authority209Notes223Bibliography231Index237

Lisa Gonsalves is Assistant Professor at the Graduate College of Education, University of Massachusetts, Boston. She also serves as Faculty Coordinator of the Teach Next Year Professional Development School Teacher Preparation Program at Dorchester High School.John Leonard is Headmaster, Economics and Business Academy, Dorchester Education Complex, Boston Public Schools.

"This book is the story of Dorchester High School in Boston. The groundwork for this case study is represented in great detail with a general history of schooling from 1945 to 2006, along with a thorough description of the impact of government mandates and their effects on schools like Dorchester High School, beginning in the late 1980s. There is little doubt that education since the 1960s has become more complex and unsettled. Such factors as a growing diversity in student population, students with special educational needs, and students with bilingual issues are all affecting our schools and testing educators, including those at Dorchester High. Authors Gonsalves and Leonard believe that the average urban high school is unable to fix itself. They state that the circle of responsibility extends far beyond the rolls of the school, and that a cultural reform strategy in this expanded community is a requirement for real school improvement. They intend to demonstrate how an alignment of forces, including businesses, legislative leaders, and involved educators, could significantly reform a school. They present numerous and varied stories that underscore the importance of how community partners facing unique challenges can work together to renew and reform our schools. Recommended. All levels." - Choice

• ForewordixPreface and AcknowledgmentsxiList of AbbreviationsxviiChapter 1. Introduction: Reforming our Most Troubled Urban High Schools1The History of Dorchester High School 1945 to 20067Chapter 2. Demographics, Discrimination, and Decline:The Destruction of Dorchester High 1945 to 19709Chapter 3. The Fragmentation of Culture and Community: The Long, Slow Decline of Dorchester High School 1969 to 198223Chapter 4. Help Is on the Way: The Community Comes to Dorchester High School 1982 to 198937Chapter 5. Reports from the Circus: The Community Goes After the School Committee 1982 to 199151Chapter 6. Back to Square One at Dorchester High School 1989 to 199559Chapter 7. The Community Returns to Dorchester High School 1996 to 199975Chapter 8. Bruises and Betrayals: The Last Years of Dorchester High School 1999 to 200385Chapter 9. Learning how to Educate Together: The Hope and Promise of Small High Schools 2003 to 2006109Lessons Learned for Urban Education135Introduction137Chapter 10. A Conceptual Framework for Enacting Cultural Reform in Struggling Urban High Schools: Re-engaging the Community139Chapter 11. School Culture and School Partnerships157Chapter 12. Consider the Challenges of Urban Adolescents183Chapter 13. The Ecological Systems Model and the Development of the School Leader199Chapter 14. School Values and Moral Authority209Notes223Bibliography231Index237

Lisa Gonsalves is Assistant Professor at the Graduate College of Education, University of Massachusetts, Boston. She also serves as Faculty Coordinator of the Teach Next Year Professional Development School Teacher Preparation Program at Dorchester High School.John Leonard is Headmaster, Economics and Business Academy, Dorchester Education Complex, Boston Public Schools.

"This book is the story of Dorchester High School in Boston. The groundwork for this case study is represented in great detail with a general history of schooling from 1945 to 2006, along with a thorough description of the impact of government mandates and their effects on schools like Dorchester High School, beginning in the late 1980s. There is little doubt that education since the 1960s has become more complex and unsettled. Such factors as a growing diversity in student population, students with special educational needs, and students with bilingual issues are all affecting our schools and testing educators, including those at Dorchester High. Authors Gonsalves and Leonard believe that the average urban high school is unable to fix itself. They state that the circle of responsibility extends far beyond the rolls of the school, and that a cultural reform strategy in this expanded community is a requirement for real school improvement. They intend to demonstrate how an alignment of forces, including businesses, legislative leaders, and involved educators, could significantly reform a school. They present numerous and varied stories that underscore the importance of how community partners facing unique challenges can work together to renew and reform our schools. Recommended. All levels." - Choice

• ForewordixPreface and AcknowledgmentsxiList of AbbreviationsxviiChapter 1. Introduction: Reforming our Most Troubled Urban High Schools1The History of Dorchester High School 1945 to 20067Chapter 2. Demographics, Discrimination, and Decline:The Destruction of Dorchester High 1945 to 19709Chapter 3. The Fragmentation of Culture and Community: The Long, Slow Decline of Dorchester High School 1969 to 198223Chapter 4. Help Is on the Way: The Community Comes to Dorchester High School 1982 to 198937Chapter 5. Reports from the Circus: The Community Goes After the School Committee 1982 to 199151Chapter 6. Back to Square One at Dorchester High School 1989 to 199559Chapter 7. The Community Returns to Dorchester High School 1996 to 199975Chapter 8. Bruises and Betrayals: The Last Years of Dorchester High School 1999 to 200385Chapter 9. Learning how to Educate Together: The Hope and Promise of Small High Schools 2003 to 2006109Lessons Learned for Urban Education135Introduction137Chapter 10. A Conceptual Framework for Enacting Cultural Reform in Struggling Urban High Schools: Re-engaging the Community139Chapter 11. School Culture and School Partnerships157Chapter 12. Consider the Challenges of Urban Adolescents183Chapter 13. The Ecological Systems Model and the Development of the School Leader199Chapter 14. School Values and Moral Authority209Notes223Bibliography231Index237