This paper examines community responses to court-ordered desegregation in Louisville, Boston, Denver, and Dallas. Background information is provided on the implementation of desegregation, court decisions affecting desegregation, reactions to desegregation and busing, and the influence of social structures, political traditions, and prevailing attitudes of civic leaders towards desegregation. Also included is a list of functions served by court-mandated and citizen-initiated organizations in the implementation process. These functions include: (1) participation in development of plan of implementation; (2) mobilization of public support; (3) participation in carrying out the plan; (4) monitoring and reporting; (5) advocacy and student protection; and (6) participation in educational development. Important mandated or citizen-initiated organizations in each of the four cities are described briefly. Included in these descriptions are strategies used by the respective organizations for achieving or aiding peaceful implementation of desegregation policies and for dealing with problem areas such as bilingual education and discrimination against black teachers and students. The degree of business, university, and student participation in organized efforts to implement court-ordered desegregation plans is also assessed. (Author/EB)