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Two university researchers who have considerable practitioner and research experience in urban schools conducted an interventionist action research project in collaboration with the professional staff of a diverse urban elementary school. The goal was to collaborate with the administration, faculty and staff in an average urban elementary school to improve the academic success of all students and all student groups regardless of the race, ethnicity and family income of the students and their families. While analyses of the school's state accountability data indicated that there was some improvement in the academic success of the school's diverse students, particularly among the lowest scoring student group, problems that arose in this process led the researchers to identify four themes of resistance to school change. These were "externals are the cause of low achievement and achievement gaps", "accountability systems are destructive to my teaching", "suggesting change is critique" and "we are not leaders". Following a description of the themes, implications and recommendations are briefly discussed. (Contains 4 notes.)

Skrla and others rejoinder to Klien and Haney wherein they agree in part and disagree in part with points raised in both commentary responses. Reiterate their support for potential of test-based accountability systems to improve educational equity and social justice for racial minority students. (PKP)

Presenting evidence of widespread racism in schools and its negative effect on children of color, authors argue for the use of state accountability systems to achieve educational equity and social justice for racial minorities. Results of Texas achievement test showing a narrowing of academic achievement gap between whites and minorities are cited to demonstrate the efficacy of such efforts. (PKP)

Democracy rightly holds a critical significance in any context in which relatively small elites have subjugated majorities. When a democracy has been established in a societal context that encompasses minority subgroups along with a dominant majority, minority groups are in danger. Democracy is not equity, nor any guarantee of equity. (MLH)