In this report, Connecticut's Task Force on Charter Schools recommends enacting legislation to establish six pilot charter schools to begin operation in fall 1994. As public schools or educational programs operating under a State Board of Education charter, charter schools would be: committed to quality student outcomes; staffed and controlled by…

This book is designed to show what type of alternative career education is available, where to get it, and how much is needed for the first job in a wide variety of careers. Part I tells about alternative education--how to evaluate it and how to pick the right career track. It describes the advantages and disadvantages of 11 basic sources of…

This guide may be used by charter school operators in developing a business plan that can be used as a management tool in individual schools and in preparing applications for charters, renewals, and grants and loans. A sound business plan must reflect the school's ideas, assets, and needs clearly and succinctly. Drafting a business plan begins…

Outcomes of a series of meetings held in 1990 by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) Roundtable on Public School Choice are summarized in this document's six chapters. Chapter 1 discusses the components (including motivations, vision formation, leadership, the design process, and the types of choice available) involved in…

Educational clinics, as defined by Washington State law, are private organizations that teach basic academic skills and provide employment orientation in an individualized way to high school dropouts aged 13 to 19. The Educational Clinics Program was authorized by the state legislature in 1977, after extensive lobbying by members of a private firm…

Guidelines for creating equitable public school choice programs are offered in this booklet. Section 1 discusses the elements essential to a good public school choice, plan: the reasons for interest in school choice; choice plans in private and independent schools, the history of the school choice movement; and the influences of parents, teachers,…

This guide, second in a series of four volumes, offers a method of surveying parents' attitudes about choosing schools for their children and provides a survey instrument used over a period of 5 years in four Massachusetts urban school districts. Section 1 introduces the basic research questions pursued in the survey. Section 2, "The Parent…

This volume of profiles, third in a series of guides on parent choice and schooling, provides short descriptions about the range of exemplary parent information strategies from 21 school districts in 11 states across the nation. The profiles were chosen to be representative of efforts public school districts make to inform parents about available…

Early intervention programs provide early stimulation and therapy for young children with disabilities. However, no specific age guidelines have been established for starting early intervention, and the pressure to make an immediate commitment to an early intervention program can overwhelm parents. Program options and decision-making strategies…

Criticizes national education reports that call for a return to authoritarian schools in order to achieve excellence. Extolls the strengths and achievements for which magnet schools are responsible. (MD)

This book asserts that alternative programs remain a practical management strategy for educating diverse student learners, offering specific ideas for program implementation, accountability for student learning, and quality service provision. The information serves as an overview of important factors to consider for those seeking new approaches to…

These handouts describe: Respecting Differences to Find Common Ground (a PTA program to provide parents with ideas and resources for talking to their children about respecting diversity); tips for parents on helping their children understand and respect differences; and the Our Children Newsletter, which contains excerpts from the March 2002 Our…

Discusses the role that Montessori school administrators can play in shaping the admissions process to create a powerful link between parents and the school. Reviews how school open houses, application procedures, and interviews influence parental attitudes, as well as the role that parental choice plays in the parent-school partnership. (MDM)

This article offers guidelines on locating the most appropriate educational program for gifted students. It recommends first a thorough assessment of the student's abilities and then presents a checklist which considers program admission standards, philosophy, teachers, instructional methods, curriculum, and other factors. (JDD)

This document is the third in a series of handbooks designed to help educators who are considering controlled choice as a possible desegregation method. The document describes the educational philosophy, curriculum, teaching methods, school organization, and grading methods of traditionally organized schools. Four schools in the northeastern…