Educators are increasingly critical of State compulsory education laws. Argues that these regulations do little to assure that the basic goals of schooling are achieved. Commenting briefly on this thesis are Sidney P. Marland, Jr., B. Frank Brown, John Brubacher, Paul Salmon, and Juanita Jones. (Author)

Florida and California are the leaders in setting new, lowered age levels at which students may take high school equivalency tests. (IRT)

Cites definite trends suggesting the eventual decline of public education.'' The author suggests that these trends may result in paring down the role of schooling to training in basic skills. Introductory chapter to a new book in which the author discusses alternatives toward which he thinks we should be working. (Author/JF)

Schoolpeople have instigated compulsory attendance laws, consolidated schools, and the superintendency to defend themselves against parents. In the nineteenth century schoolpeople castigated the poor for indifference; in this century they blame well-to-do parents for permissiveness and for having high expectations for their children. (Author/IRT)

Enormous improvements in education may well be possible if recommendations to reduce the amount of time teenagers spend in school are adopted, but the changes cannot be effected without basic changes in other institutions, especially the economy. (Author/IRT)

Examines state laws and the actions of various courts on home instruction and unauthorized educational programs. Suggests reforming the regulation of private education through legislative action that requires periodic testing as an alternative to compulsory school attendance. (Author/MLF)

Discusses implications of recent Supreme Court decision that exempts Amish children from State compulsory attendance laws for post-eighth grade education. (EA)

Learning can easily be fostered in three major agencies: the school, work-related institutions, and society in general. Teachers, who may be found in all three places, would be ministers, merchants, or mechanics--but first they would be teachers. (Author)

Presents a historical, national, and legal overview of home schooling. Reviews official responses and constitutional limits on state regulation and offers suggestions on ways that public educators and home-schoolers can improve their relationship. Recommends that public officials take initial steps to bridge the communication gap. (CJH)