This report describes the Experimental Schools Project (ESP) conducted by the Franklin Pierce School District in Tacoma, Washington, under funding from the National Institute of Education. The ESP was a five-year program designed to provide the optimum learning environment for each student. Each of the district's 13 schools attempted, through…

The purpose of this publication is to provide school officials and others concerned with the concept of alternative educational programs a summary of research pertaining to the evaluation of such programs. Included are an overview of the history of alternative schools, a discussion of the issues and trends associated with alternative schools,…

This publication discusses a school evaluation model developed by the Center for New Schools (CNS) for use in evaluating Cleveland's New School. Section 1 describes three key principles that underlie the CNS model and discusses the rationale behind each of those principles. The three principles include (1) facilitating community participation in…

Schools face frightening challenges in the decades ahead, and a fundamental question of education is how they will cope. Organization Development (OD), a process designed to help organizations meet the challenges of pervasive change, appears capable of helping in this situation. There have been several OD applications in schools, but no definitive…

In this presentation, three approaches for involving teachers in curriculum planning are described, including the interdisciplinary team approach, the total district approach, and the total faculty approach. Each of these approaches is illustrated with "snapshot" descriptions of promising practices from Colorado, Arizona, and Illinois.…

This booklet is the second in a series of annual publications that list and describe a wide array of promising and innovative educational practices in hopes of stimulating the development of alternative educational delivery systems and strategies involving students, teachers, administrators, and parents. Included in the booklet are brief…

Describes an effort now underway to develop and implement an experimental future studies program designed to provide opportunities for students to supplement the basic skills with specific survival skills for the future. Emphasis of the program is on planning skills, problem-solving skills, decision-making skills, and communication skills. (JG)

Describes how the Dallas Independent School District uses the research and development concept of context evaluation to help direct changes in instructional systems, materials, and methodology. (Author/JG)

This directory describes 53 innovative and alternative school programs throughout Canada. Each school or program is examined separately in a one- or two-page entry, which briefly discusses the objectives and focus of the program and lists one or more persons who can be contacted for additional information. Schools are grouped by province and are…