In this important book, Norm Fruchter argues that our national failure to carry out the Brown mandate has produced segregated urban school systems that fail poor students of color. Drawing on a rich array of research and personal experience, he examines why urban districts have failed and what must be done to transform our city schools. He identifies urban districts as the key actors in this transformation and profiles three school districts that have achieved significant success in closing the achievement gap. He also identifies grassroots community organizing as a critical lever for provoking and supporting meaningful change in schools. This provocative book should be read by all educators, policymakers, parents, and civic activists committed to improving public education for all students. The book features: vignettes from the author's broad experience with public schooling - teacher, parent organizer, school board member, foundation grant-maker, evaluator, and researcher; an in-depth look at effective schools and the policies that support them; and, strategies used by grassroots campaigns to improve local schools and districts.