This document is divided into six parts, following an introduction on alternative schools. Part 1 contains an NEA briefing memo entitled "Alternative Schools." Part 2 goes into more detail about some of the ideas presented in the briefing memo. Part 3 is comprised of excerpts from the 1972 "Report of the Task Force on Compulsory Education." Part 4 discusses the educational voucher concept, which was recommended for field testing by the Center for the Study of Public Policy. Part 5 is reproduced from the publication, "Public Alternative Schools: A Look at the Options," by Penelop Walker, and is a list of descriptions of alternative schools. Part 6 describes the Shanti School in Hartford, Connecticut, and presents an example of legislation sometimes necessary to legally contain certain alternative practices within the official educational structure of a state. Appendixes include (a) "The Free School Movement: A Perspective," by Lawrence A. Cremin; (b) a directory of public alternative schools; and (c) an annotated bibliography on alternative education (an NEA document). (PB)