The plight of urban education in America continues to evoke considerable concern among many educators, policymakers, and average citizens. Urban schools whose populations are disproportionately minority continue to experience high rates of failure despite the many school improvement efforts of the past three decades. The most effective strategies are those that address the socioemotional and psychoeducational needs of children. The linkage between school programs and communities, including families must be strengthened The School Development Program of the Yale Child Study Center has been successful in improving urban schools because of its emphasis on systemic change, child development, and parent involvement.
