1. Tackling the challenges of urban education : Demographic challenges for urban school systems ; Attitudes toward equity issues ; Strategies for improvement: balancing push and pull actions ; The national educational contexts of the case cities
2. New York City: restructuring over reculturing : Setting the scene ; Children First reforms ; The limits of restructuring
3. Toronto: success amidst the rocks : Setting the scene ; Ontario tri-level reform ; Toronto District School Board ; Success amidst the rocks
4. London: success against the odds : Setting the scene ; London challenge ; East End boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Hackney ; Integrating push and pull
5. Lessons learned: a matter of integrated balance : Comparing push-pull actions from the cases ; Scoring balance in reform actions ; Looking ahead at system reform.