Another Reconstruction? On Moral Imperatives and Urban Educational Reform

Abstract

In many cities the current effort to improve school systems includes reinvigorated urban collaboratives through which school representatives, higher education, the corporate community, and community- based organizations work together. These efforts must embrace two crucial strategies if they are to be successful. First, they must attack both "vertically systemic" issues of the K- 16 pipeline, as well as "horizontally systemic" deterrents such as a students poor health, family stress, and community violence. Second, the collaboratives should seek to develop their efforts around a spirit of moral imperative. This should be a compelling idea that binds collaborative workers and their fellow citizens into a renewed sense of cohesiveness and community.