TEACHER COLLABORATION IN A RESTRUCTURING URBAN HIGH SCHOOL

and opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily refl t the policies or positions of the funding sources. iii The Center Every child has the capacity to succeed in school and in life. Yet far too many children, especially those from poor and minority famil es, are placed at risk by school practices that are based on a sorting paradigm in which some students receive high-expectations instruction while the rest are relegated to lower quality education and lower quality futures. The sorting perspective must be replaced by a “talent development ” model that asserts that all children are capable of succeeding in a rich and demanding curriculum with appropriate assistance and support. The mission of the Center for Research on the Education of Students Placed At Risk (CRESPAR) is to conduct the research, development, evaluation, and dissemination needed to transform schooling for students placed at risk. The work of the Center is guided by three central themes — ensuring the success of all students at key development points, building o