School improvements have been implemented in 27 schools in Columbus, Ohio, emphasizing the characteristics of effective schools. These characteristics include: (1) a sense of mission; (2) strong instructional leadership; (3) high expectations for students as well as school staff; (4) frequent monitoring of student progress; (5) a positive learning climate; (6) sufficient opportunity for learning to occur; and (7) parent/community involvement in the school program. A needs assessment was administered in 12 of the schools using a pretest/posttest design. Scores on standardized achievement tests were considered. Home-school relations was identified as a factor much in need of improvement. The change in reading comprehension scores from the pretest to the posttest was slightly greater than had been expected. The growth in mathematics computation ability was substantial. Pupils from lower income families tended to score lower in both subjects. Seventeen tables and 7 appendices present statistical data. (VM)