This book is a case study of the third largest urban school system in the USA and the reform movement that was mobilized to deal with its problems; it was put into effect by the Chicago School Reform Act, one of the most watched educational experiments of all time, which decentralized power and gave it to local school councils in every school. The author describes the situation which gave rise to the reform movement; the political, civic, business and parent-activist forces that came together to impose reform; the mandated restructuring and the initial implementation of reform. The success or failure of this reform based on devolved power, decentralization of authority and participatory decision-making will determine how children in urban schools are educated well into the next century. Chicago's decision to grasp the nettle of urban education will be of immense interest to education authorities worldwide.