This evaluative history of New York City's recent experiments in public education documents three projects: Ocean Hill-Brownsville, IS 201, and Two Bridges. This study employs a process oriented and a qualitative methodology which relies most on field observation and participant-observers. The Institute study observed the new community boards, their composition and the effect of their involvement on the participants, and their clients--the parents and students. The researchers ascertained the efficacy of board members through interviews and questionnaries, and of parents through random survey. The rest of the evaluation concerns the impact of participation on policy. Student attitudes were also studied. (Author/JW)