Although not a new concept, early graduation from high school is attracting growing interest. Evidence regarding the dissatisfaction of many high school students with the traditional four-year sequence is cited frequently in the literature. This and other factors have stirred speculation about whether more high school students are opting for early…

This book catalogues the free university/alternative school movement's exploration of ways education can be organized, directed, evaluated, and modified by its consumers. Emphasis is placed on the purpose of free universities, unlearning, course organizing, credit, the mechanics of organizing courses for credit, publicity, funding, bureaucracy,…

Educational voucher plans envision the creation of diverse educational options among which informed parents may make a choice for the schooling of their children. One specific voucher plan--the "regulated, compensatory voucher" plan advocated by the Center for the Study of Public Policy (the CSPP model)--has given rise to a federal effort to…

Schools can be changed from the inside if one works with the dynamics that schools respond to. Four generalizations about the change in the schools are that: 1) Innovations must be comprehensible to the leadership of schools, i.e., innovations must be introduced to the administrators of schools as well as teachers -- administrators need to…

The articles in this collection assume that some learning is done better in places other than the classroom. Many selections justify philosophically and psychologically the formation of alternatives. Others present case histories of ongoing experimentation with alternatives at all levels of education. No particular models are advocated. The need…

Frustrated by the public schools, the author took his child out of one and set up his own school. This book tells other parents how to do the same. The step-by-step account explains how to take a child out of the public school; set up a plan for the home instruction of a child; choose a more complex educational plan; set up a curriculum for any…

An updated directory of new and innovative schools in the U.S. and Canada lists over 700 schools at all educational levels. The schools are listed by states; information is given about the address, phone number, ages of students, date founded, tuition, ratio of students to teachers, and a phrase or two describes any special quality of the school.…

A form of individualized instruction called "managed" learning is proposed. Three personnel types would be required in such a system: (1) coordinators responsible for providing some education to assigned students and "managing" the rest of the student's education; (2) general service personnel such as guidance, library,…

This practicum reports on the conceptualization, development, testing, and implementation of the guidelines, procedures, and a model for alternative programs for earning graduation credit. New requirements for graduation were adopted by the Maryland State Department of Education in November, 1974, but the development of specific policies and…

Based on a view of humankind, the authors outline six assumptions about learners and the process of learning: (1) direct experience provides the impetus and substance from which learners make their personal meanings; (2) experience contributes best to continued learning when it promotes the development of thinking and feeling processes; (3) the…

Several hundred students have participated in digging and exploration under a pilot project (funded via Title III of the Elementary Secondary Education Act and sponsored by the Northfield School Department of Rhode Island) which has utilized archaeology and local history as vehicles for educational alternatives. (JC)

This article describes the rights of parents as they relate to the education of their children. Topics include legal sources of parents' rights; parent involvement; freedom of religion, conscience, and expression; and political rights. (DS)

In view of enrollment decreases in public schools and colleges, alternative curricula based on job marketability need to be examined. This article examines the educational-studies major. Perceived benefits and limitations are detailed, and results of a survey of some 100 Texas undergraduates' attitudes toward this curriculum are presented. (JC)

After identifying the characteristics of students who are likely to drop out, the authors introduced several techniques to help the students. (Author/MLF)