Profiles successful magnet arts schools in New Orleans, Prince George's County (Maryland), and Denver and provides guidelines for school board members desiring to open schools of the arts. Board members are urged to garner support, find a suitable location, build a staff, decide on format and enrollment method, and develop partnerships with local…

Reports on an elementary school in Tokyo, Japan; an apprenticeship program in Germany; and a magnet school in Evanston, Illinois. Suggests some lessons U.S educators might learn from these nations in the areas of national curriculum, length of school year, tracking, and school-to-work transition. (MLF)

Public school choice sounds egalitarian, but questions of funding and equity raise the possibility of an excuse for racial segregation. Questions what will happen to equality as well as to quality in public education if proponents of school choice succeed in shifting revenues away from poor schools. (MLF)

A number of research studies document the effectiveness of magnet schools--both in breaking down racial isolation and in providing high-quality education programs. However, according to Kimberly West, writing in the "Yale Law Journal,""many magnet schools are rife with racially segregated classrooms." (MLF)

A Florida county, under a federal court order to desegregate its schools, adopted a plan of controlled school choice approved by the federal court. The county was divided into three zones that roughly reflected the school system's racial composition. A computerized lottery, with provisions for keeping siblings together and attractive programs for…

This innovative regional school for gifted juniors and seniors is characterized by state/private funding, a balanced student body, instruction emphasizing individual inquiry and group cooperation, enforced study hours, work and community service requirements, and professional outreach programs to other public schools. Criticisms of the school are…

Although the District of Columbia school board requested additional study on student performance in schools where private firms currently have contracts, the superintendent explains his rationale for requesting private management for some 10 to 15 schools. (MLF)

Currently 15 percent of K-12 students attend public schools of choice, including charter, magnet, and controlled-choice schools. Support for choice is growing, but a recent report says 81 percent of adults surveyed know little about charters or vouchers. Profiles of successful choice schools are presented. (MLH)

Among the features of a good public school choice plan are (1) a clear goal statement; (2) information and counseling for parents in selecting programs for their children; and (3) admissions procedures that are fair and equitable. Cites characteristics of school choice programs in Minnesota and East Harlem, New York. (MLF)

Claims of success in Minnesota's open enrollment plan are exaggerated. Transfer requests are based on convenience and location rather than on the quality of education. Using the open market technique means that handicapped or other high risk students will be less desirable commodities. Public funding for private schools will be advocated. (MLF)

Describes programs in four of Milwaukee's specialty schools--a school for the gifted and talented, one for the creative arts, one for foreign languages, and one emphasizing the basics. (IRT)

The one-size-fits-all public schools inherited from the nineteenth century can be transformed if parents have the right to choose schools their children will attend. Schools of choice will improve both the attitudes and performance of students. Teachers and administrators will be more professional, and school boards can meet their responsibilities…

A partnership between Mount Holyoke College and a cash-starved school system led to the opening of Holyoke Magnet Middle School for the Arts. Only 20 percent of the school's budget is funded by the district; more than $500,000 is raised from outside public and private sources. Offers fund-raising tips. (MLF)

Houston (TX) schools have developed an innovative attitude toward the teacher shortage; a magnet high school program encourages and prepares students for careers in education. (MD)

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)