Community Compacts: Models for Metropolitan Universities

Abstract

Universities in six urban/metropolitan communities are building new forms of collaboration with local K-12 schools. The efforts focus on change strategies which are attempting to advance educational reforms at both the school and university levels to improve the academic achievement and success of all students, with particular attention to poor and minority children and youth. Undergirding thework in the six communities is the engagement of a broad spectrum of stakeholders both within and outside K-12 and postsecondary institutions. Informing their work are several principles which may serve as promising guides for defining "systemic," K-16 education reform in other urban/metropolitan communities attempting to reform their public educational systems.