Educational restructuring demands come from all quarters except school administrators resistant to change. Restructuring requires scrapping the screening type of school and sweeping out the frozen, ritualized, instructional methods that produce poor results. Brain-based education calls for numerous changes, including working from theory and…

The American International School in Mallorca, Spain, addressed students' appalling ignorance of geography without overhauling the curriculum. An innovative geography fortnight incorporating geographical places, terms, and concepts across the curriculum vastly increased students' knowledge and enthusiasm. (MLH)

Describes various school choice options and explains how each relates to school improvement. Variations include interdistrict choice, postsecondary options, second-chance programs, teacher-initiated or chartered schools, controlled choice (to aid desegregation efforts), and magnet schools offering choice within a traditional district assignment…

Study of injuries, health office visits, and school absences of 983 children enrolled in three elementary schools indicated that absence frequency was significantly related to school hours, with fewer absences found in schools with extended hours. Magnet school enrollment was positively associated with rates of health office visits and injuries.…

The study of special and regular education students' perceptions of control at school found comparability among groups with regard to areas in which control is valued. Perceptions of control were lower for students in the standard special education group than those of regular students or of special education students in an experimental program.…

Examines barriers to conventional education and explains how distance education can fill the niche markets created by these barriers. Curriculum barriers and economic barriers are discussed; core attributes of distance education are described; and planning for niche markets is addressed based on the core attributes. (Contains five references.)…

Explains the context of the theme issue: the title is from Martin Gold's pioneering research on effective alternative schools for troubled students. The issue revolves around creating a learning atmosphere where no one is rejected, regardless of behavioral problems, and students can get the education they need. (JPS)

Both the United World Colleges and the International Baccalaureate offer exciting educational alternatives for high-ability students. Based on international understanding through educational exchange, the World Colleges are composed of students and faculties from many nations and all races. A Houston Theory of Knowledge project to prepare students…

Kohl presents his version of the six national goals, stressing students' right to the elimination of child poverty, dignified full employment, and the chance to work toward a compassionate global economy. Corporations really want sheep, not inquisitive, well-qualified workers. Fighting poverty is more effective than labeling children…

Innovative programs discussed at 23rd International Conference on Alternative Education resemble those of 1960s. Although there is no typical alternative school model, some common structures and processes include collaborative, site-based management, small school/class size, extended teacher roles involving student counseling and guidance,…

Between 42% and 60% of students in alternative education settings have learning disabilities. Teachers need the ability to optimize classroom climate, improve literacy and transition outcomes, achieve behavioral growth, and understand multicultural and multilingual issues. (Author/JOW)

Argues that science and technology studies should strive to change society by contributing to the design of learning environments that form future generations of producers and consumers of scientific and technological knowledge. Illustrates how research findings from science and technology studies were used to design alternative learning…

Provides a history of the Cornell University nature study program, which was essentially an agricultural movement in its inception and aims. (CCM)

Discusses how the charter school movement is having systemic effects on U.S. education, examining eight important issues that, when resolved, may make charter schools valued community institutions and spur K-12 education to reinvent itself. Surmounting the eight challenges would keep charter schools in the center stage of the education reform…

Two brief papers examine the "vanguard college" proposal, postsecondary education concept that parallels the charter school movement for K-12 education. Vanguard colleges would agree to exceed state (Massachusetts) performance standards in exchange for greater operational freedom, fiscal autonomy, and faculty benefits. Guidelines focus…