In Spain, the exercise of choice by parents of a suitable school for their children is not practised by all families in the same way. The evidence shows that an increasing social polarisation and a substantial disequilibrium in schooling are taking place in compulsory education. There is a high concentration of immigrant students in public schools…

This study investigates the relationship between parents and politics. In part one, the effect of having school-aged children on parents' political outcomes is examined. Do the resource constraints associated with child-rearing depress participation, or does the presence of children increase activity? One finds that parents are more active in…

As interest in expanding the number of high quality charter schools available to parents and students has grown, policy makers have increased their focus on identifying and providing support to new charter programs that have the potential to improve student outcomes and satisfy parent and student needs. Since 1994, the U.S. Department of Education…

This booklet contains detailed information about topics related to opportunities offered by "No Child Left Behind" ("NCLB"): (1) closing the achievement gap; (2) parental involvement; (3) school choice; and (4) tutoring and financial aid for college. The publication is designed as a working tool, including space for individual…

Claims that Joe Nathan's article in the same "Educational Leadership" issue stresses positive school choice examples while ignoring the problems of replacing neighborhood schools with a system of unzoned, competitive enrollments. Raises concerns of equity, school improvement, parent involvement, teacher empowerment, school assessment, funding, and…

"The Achiever" is a monthly newsletter designed expressly for parents and community leaders. Each issue contains news and information about school improvement in the United States. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) $30 Million in Grants Awarded to Help Struggling Readers: Spellings Announces First Round of…

E. Callan develops a coherent argument for the common public school and the standard of reasonableness as a basis for common education. A better basis would be a consensus based on parents' wishes. Valid mainstream schools would compete successfully with separate schools because of their compelling world view. (SLD)

Using educational vouchers for private schooling will aggravate the fragmented society that Jonathan Kozol visualizes in the November 1992 issue of "Educational Leadership." However, public schools of choice are desirable because they permit diverse teaching/learning styles, curricular emphases, or organizational structures to coexist…

Counters Jonathan Kozol's concerns about educational vouchers, insisting that $2,500 could buy a quality private school education in Montgomery, Alabama. Critiques other voucher articles in the November 1992 "Educational Leadership" issue by challenging Alex Molnar's common school system concept and Arnold Fege's substitution of societal…

Named for Baltimore's Memorial Stadium, the Stadium School is a small charter school that combines project-based instruction with activities such as community gardening. Despite its popularity, this middle school has an uncertain future. Established in 1993, the school will close unless students' standardized test scores improve this year. (MLH)

In 2002, Tennessee passed its first Public Charter School legislation. Four schools were successful in gaining approval to begin operating in the 2003-2004 academic year. The second cohort of three charter schools began operation during the 2004-2005 academic year, with the third cohort of five schools starting-up during the 2005-2006 academic…

It is necessary to guard against moving toward a system in which parents' choice for their children has the effect of making the parent-school relationship a private one. Needed are parents, supported by public policy, who are involved in the life of the school in an ongoing way. (Author/GC)

A review of the research on school choice programs at city, state, and national levels indicates that choice schools support parents' involvement in their children's studies, encourage parents' participation in meaningful school activities, and engender greater satisfaction. Choice schools do so to a significantly greater degree than do…

Provides a feminist critique of the literature on parental involvement and school choice. Two research studies demonstrate mothers' critical importance in their children's education at home and at school. Mothers normally invest more time and energy than fathers in child-rearing and school associations. Working-class boys' underachievement may…

Despite their reputation for excellence, private schools cannot absorb the burden of educating all youngsters desiring to flee public education. Private schools are expensive and succeed because of effective leadership, small school size, and parent involvement. Public schools must be freed from the stranglehold of teacher unions and central…