Tackling the challenges of urban education : Demographic challenges for urban school systems ; Attitudes toward equity issues ; Strategies for improvement: balancing push and pull actions ; The national educational contexts of the case cities -- 2. New York City: restructuring over reculturing : Setting the scene ; Children First reforms ; The limits of restructuring -- 3. Toronto: success amidst the rocks : Setting the scene ; Ontario tri-level reform ; Toronto District School Board ; Success amidst the rocks -- 4. London: success against the odds : Setting the scene ; London challenge ; East end boroughs of tower hamlets and hackney ; Integrating push and pull -- 5. Lessons learned: a matter of integrated balance : Comparing push-pull actions from the cases ; Scoring balance in reform actions ; Looking ahead at system reform.