This document presents a research agenda designed to assist in the implementation of school reform in Chicago, assess its progress, and support school improvement efforts. Conducted by the Consortium on Chicago School Research, data were obtained by: (1) interviews with key public officials in business and state and local government; (2) focus groups of diverse stakeholders; (3) analysis of position statements submitted by civic and community organizations; and (4) a citywide conference of educational researchers. The agenda focuses on four topical areas--school governance, teaching and learning, the quality of schools as organizations, and systemic issues. Part 2 presents detailed findings of the four areas of concern. Cutting across all four areas is the issue of equity among and within schools. The third part outlines the next steps for implementing the research agenda. Recommendations are made to develop a set of indicators for school reform and to conduct indepth studies of the four areas of concern. Five figures are included. Appendices contain lists of interview participants, focus groups, conference papers, and conference speakers. Thirty endnotes are included. (LMI)