This collection of papers and case studies emphasize what citizens should know in order to plan for either court ordered or voluntary desegregation. Chapter one describes lessons about planning and community education from communities that have recently undergone desegregation. Chapters two and three outline the Constitutional basis for desegregation and the Federal court decisions that have shaped the process of desegregation over the past 22 years. Chapter three deals particularly with metropolitan court cases. Chapter four provides a brief summary of general techniques included in desegregation plans, and Chapter five reviews research on student outcomes and white flight. The final chapters are case studies on four cities that have desegregated their schools in the past few years (Boston, Massachusetts; Denver, Colorado; Detroit, Michigan; and Minneapolis, Minnesota). (Author/MK)