The responses of Professors Heckman and Elmore to this author's critique of the ASCD's "Public Schools of Choice" monograph reinforce her original reservations. The ASCD report overlooks the urgency of the present context and the inadequacy of alternatives to choice, makes unfeasible research demands, denies its own bias, and makes questionable…

This directory presents the names and addresses of 2,500 public alternative schools and programs serving secondary school-age children in the United States and three Canadian provinces (Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta). The addresses are listed alphabetically by state, with the Canadian entries in a separate section at the end. Each school…

Examining the contemporary school choice debate yields arguments that are education, economics, governance, and policy driven. To "break the exclusive franchise," school districts are increasingly sponsoring school operation and education services supplied by multiple sources, and states are discussing sponsorship of schools by entities…

Alternative schools serve a diverse population and are generally concerned with a much broader spectrum of human development than most public schools. While they are considered faddish by some, they may actually offer an important route to excellence. (MSE)

Critiques the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development's 1990 report "Public Schools of Choice" for joining the chorus of skeptics. On three major counts (equity, the present evidence for choice, and its risks compared to present school organization failings), school choice offers a reasonable alternative. Includes 29…

Presents the positive benefits to be gained from diversifying the public school system and allowing a wider choice in school selection. Outlines the problems that would ensue from establishing an educational voucher system. Choice enhances teacher quality, student achievement, parent involvement, and public confidence in schools. (MD)

When features of the "excellence" and "choice" movements in education are compared, these two orientations appear dissimilar. This article shows how the two can be united by broadening the definition of excellence so that all schools become schools of choice. Choice, then, becomes an ingredient in the pursuit of excellence. (VM)

A case is made for public schools of choice based on major strands of evidence from the perspective of students, parents, and teachers. This is followed by a brief overview covering the extent of schools of choice, the nature of their support, their organizational features, and their accomplishments. The critical feature of the school choice issue…

Alternative schools provide a worthwhile model for educational improvement, in part because they offer a valuable model of the change process itself. Characteristics of alternative schools, their contrasts with traditional schools, and the value of providing parents and students with a choice are discussed. (PP)

Reviewing research on alternative schools, the author notes that the schools show improved student attendance, attitude, and involvement, as well as higher educational quality and academic achievement. (MD)

School choice means instant empowerment for those who receive it, and it significantly alters the relation of chooser and chosen. Six distinguishable sets of positive and negative dynamics that the provision of choice in schools seems to set in motion are discussed. (BJV)

Summarizes major differences between, and compatibility of, site-based management (SBM) and choice as strategies for restructuring schools. Examines the following areas of comparison: focus; impact timing; nature of impacts; teacher empowerment; empowerment basis; roles assigned parents; professionalization strategy; accountability; change…

This paper reviews the history of family choice opportunities in public schools. It offers detailed examinations of the several choice models that have proved widespread: (1) open enrollment plans; (2) magnet schools; (3) schools within schools; (4) satellites and separate alternatives; and (5) interdistrict choice plans. (Author/LMO)

Based on a 31-question survey sent to 2,500 alternative secondary schools located across the country, this report summarizes results from the 1,200 schools responding to the questionnaire. Section 1 describes some of the structural features of alternative schools, including where they are, why they were started, organizational characteristics,…

Schools of choice, established to respond to varying student and parent needs and interests, have unique features that require special teacher attributes. Programs preparing teachers for these schools include more emphasis upon: (1) content preparation, (2) the context of schools and classrooms; (3) the psychology of human growth and development;…