Explores the dynamics of purposeful leadership and parental involvement, two central components of effective schools. Presents results of four case studies considering the ways in which principals work with parents in schools possessing a shared, consistent mission. Principal-parent interactions result from unique processes in each school and are…

Examined how one urban charter school struggled during its first year to overcome several barriers, such as the initial small facility, limited curricula, and strained teacher-administrator relationships, to become a cohesive team that nurtured a unique community of learners. Case study data indicated that keys to success included teacher…

Arguments for and against school choice are presented. Claims on both sides often obscure the complexities, dilemmas, and tradeoffs involved. If diversity and choice become ends in themselves, if choice is not coupled with fundamental reform and the quest for excellence, the choices may be empty ones. (Author/VM)

Deborah Meier, coprincipal of Central Park East Secondary School in New York City, never uses "alternative" to describe her school, because that term implies that traditional schooling is acceptable. Creating smaller schools, granting parental choice, hiring intellectually curious teachers, and discussing what it means to be educated are…

With Lowell Public Schools'"controlled choice" plan, attendance is based on parent choices, as long as they do not adversely affect desegregation. This interview with the Student Assignment Officer addresses such issues as informing limited English speaking or illiterate parents about school options and creating a community network…

Investigated relationships between urban parents' reasons for choosing magnet schools and their levels of satisfaction, involvement, and influence at school. Parents chose schools for many reasons and were highly satisfied with their choices. Parents reasons for choice are important predictors of their level of satisfaction, influence, and…

Today's school leaders must identify the most appropriate data sources for marketing their schools to parents, students, and the general public. Data sources include student achievement evidence, programs for students, student and staff demographics, school environment and resources, and parental/public support and participation. (Contains 18…

Describes New Zealand's school reform as a possible model for the United States. New Zealand abolished its central education bureaucracy and turned over the running of each school to locally elected boards of trustees dominated by parents. Parents also have the right to choose which school their children will attend. Positive and negative effects…

Opportunities for school choice in the United States have expanded since the 1990s. This report uses data from the National Household Surveys Program (NHES) to present trends that focus on the use of and users of public schools (assigned and chosen), private schools (church-and nonchurch-related), and homeschoolers between 1993 and 2003. The…

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…

Research shows that parents play an important role in their children's education. Outlines six reasons why parents should play a wider role in the educational programs of their children. (MD)

Early desegregation efforts simply followed the authoritarian model predominant in American schools since the 1920s. As schools have become more democratic, however, so has the process of desegregating urban school systems. (GC)

Major policy debates have arisen around the subject of vouchers as an alternative for financing and organizing the educational system. To a large degree, comparisons between vouchers and the traditional system of educational finance and school operations have been limited to one or two dimensions of education such as the relative impact of a…

A coauthor of "Who Chooses, Who Loses?" (1996) argues that choice does little to desegregate schools or break down ethnic family enclaves. Choice schools are usually founded on publicly financed organizations. Choice appears to increase parental involvement without substantially improving student achievement. Choice schools need clear plans for…

Discusses whether school choice benefits students who do and do not receive vouchers, noting how choice affects integration and democratic ideals. Overall, there are important benefits for families participating in choice programs. Choice does not cream off the best students. Educational vouchers may influence public schools to improve. Private…