Editors' Introduction—Special Issue
Changing Schools for Changing Times:
The Comer School Development Program
Sam Stringfield and John Hollifield

We find it fitting that the first special issue of JESPAR should be devoted to the Comer School Development Program (SDP). In any discussion of developing and implementing effective programs and practices for students placed at risk, the raison d’etre for publication of this journal, the Comer School Development Program must be included.

In this special issue, guest editor Norris Haynes, director of research for the School Development Program at the Yale University Child Study Center, presents a collection of case studies and examines the research evidence to tell us about the Comer SDP -- what it is, how it has been implemented in schools, and what effects it has for schools, students, and parents. He draws conclusions from the case studies and from the research that should be of great value to schools and districts involved in or considering the implementation of the School Development Program or, indeed, any other school-wide programs. At the same time, his "lessons learned" should be very helpful to researchers, developers, and others involved in the creation and use of effective programs in schools.

Continuing the SDP coverage, Sam Stringfield reviews James Comer’s latest, Waiting for a Miracle, which carries the argument for reform beyond the schools and into multiple facets of our society if we are to reach equity and excellence for all our children.

We thank Norris Haynes and all those who have worked with him to prepare this special issue, and look forward to others in the future as JESPAR enters its third year of publication.