Magnet schools gained prominence in education in the 1970s as a tool for achieving voluntary desegregation in lieu of forced busing. The theory behind magnet schools as a desegregation tool is simple: Create a school so distinctive and appealing--so magnetic--that it will draw a diverse range of families from throughout the community eager to…

Ten steps are described for planning and development of magnet schools: identifying needs; establishing desegregation and education objectives; developing district program strategy; selecting leaders; identifying and allocating resources; designing individual magnet schools; developing curriculum around magnet theme; publicizing the program and…

This planning guide begins with a working definition of "magnet school" and then gives short descriptions of six sample types of elementary level magnet programs: a fundamental or academic prep school, a Montessori school, a music academy, an earth science school or environmental center, a bilingual-multicultural magnet, and a fine arts academy.…

In this guide, the results and findings of a major survey of magnet schools are organized into a practical manual for school districts to use in planning, developing, and implementing new magnet programs or improving those already in existence. The guide is divided into three sections: (1) key steps in magnet program development (an outline of…

This policy guide draft pulls together information on the types of public school choice plans being implemented or debated across the nation. The guide describes six different kinds of plans that involve a choice among public schools: interdistrict, postsecondary options, second-chance, controlled-choice, teacher-initiated schools, and magnet…

Based on experiences in Dallas, Boston, and Minneapolis, guidelines are given for local school-business partnerships, including objectives, forms of cooperation, and partnership activities. In this last area, internships, magnet and specialty school programs in the above-mentioned cities are described. (SJL)