Letters To the Editor

To the Editor:

I enjoyed very much your thoughtful progress report on the Coalition of Essential Schools ("Mixed Record for Coalition Schools Is Seen," Nov. 1, 1995). I had not expected to enjoy it because of the headline. I hope other readers went beyond that "mixed results" label to understand that what the research you report says, in effect, is that where coalition principles are put into effect, they seem to work pretty well, especially when they come from the grassroots.

When imposed from above or truncated by factional or budget pressures, coalition principles do not do so well. This is not the same thing as saying that the results are mixed. It is closer to the truth to say that many coalition schools are handicapped by the...