This information brief discusses the impact of commercialism in schools. It asks the question of whether such advertising is supporting students or is simply selling access. It describes how children are a desirable market since they have most of their purchases ahead of them; they can also frequently convince parents to buy items. The brief describes the growth of commercialism, tracing its origin to the practice of selling goods to raise money for extracurricular programs. These activities have grown and diversified. A 1995 report divided commercial activities in schools into four categories: inschool advertising; classroom magazines and television programs; corporate-sponsored educational materials and programs; and corporate-sponsored contests and incentive programs. The debate over Channel 1, an example of inschool advertising, indicates the degree of controversy surrounding these efforts. Other programs that have generated discussion include schools making contracts with soda makers and the practice of corporations developing and distributing free or low-cost curricular materials with a marketing component to schools. Many educators claim that inadequate financing prompts them to consider such programs. Tips on managing commercialism and how to control private dollars in public schools are provided. (RJM)