Comprehensive Reform for Urban High Schools: A Talent Development Approach (Sociology of Education Series)

Grounded in the authors’ real-world experiences of restructuring several urban high schools, this volume offers a powerful alternative to current reform efforts. The well-structured text details organizational, curricular, and instructional strategies providing practitioners with a workable blueprint for whole-school reform. Since its inception, the Talent Development Approach has gained national recognition and is currently expanding to new areas. This book is the story of what happened in schools when this model was implemented―what worked and what didn’t. Clearly, this approach holds great promise for transforming large, nonselective high schools into personalized, relevant, and effective communities.

Nettie E. Legters is an Associate Research Scientist, Robert Balfanz is an Associate Research Scientist and Math Curriculum Development Specialist, Will J. Jordan formerly was Associate Research Scientist and Associate Director, and James M. McPartland is Professor of Sociology and Director, all at The Johns Hopkins University Center for the Social Organization of Schools.