This digest highlights some of the findings of the largest study of home schooling conducted to date (L. Rudner, 1999). For this study, 20,760 students in 11,930 families provided useable questionnaires and corresponding achievement test data. Home schooling parents had more formal education than parents in the general population, and many had…

Distance education is an alternative method for delivering academic course work to students unable to attend traditional campus-based classes. This Digest presents information on the many forms of distance education and keys to successful teaching with distance education. Distance education is a method of education in which the learner is…

This publication discusses definitions of alternative education, outlines common program features, and lists challenges to providing quality services. The paper focuses on alternatives for students who are at risk for school failure, dropout, or delinquency. Since few studies on the effectiveness of alternative programs have been conducted and…

This paper describes the United States' first public voucher program, which was launched in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1990. It discusses the three phases that school competition has undergone in the Milwaukee Public School (MPS) district. These phases are a period of minimal competition from 1990-95, the passage of new charter-school legislation…

The Maine Adult Education Directors' Handbook offers a basic overview of the Adult and Community Education system in Maine. The information is general and intended to provide a background to the person initially becoming involved in adult education--director, teacher, school board member, advisory council member or superintendent. The Handbook is…

Article reported on a study conducted by an NCEA research group on attitudes toward all lay schools. (RK)

A history of community involvement in the educational planning process reflects scrutiny of building projects, involvement in passage of bond issues and participation in the decision-making process. (KM)

Examines recent studies that indicate that schools should not restrict themselves to goals that maximize the kind of intelligence IQ tests measure. Suggests that alternatives in education could possibly identify and nurture some of those skills and talents that have more influence on adult success than does IQ. (Author/DN)

A primer on alternative schools. Described are existing programs in different areas, philosophy of the alternative schools, funding, student behavior, community relations, accountability, State regulations, management, and the environment of the alternative school. A list of sources of additional information on alternative schools is included.…

Argues that it is essential that alternative schools continually ask themselves: What is learning?'' Suggests that such schools must view the way the student values himself and his needs, the way he relates to other people, and the way he operates within the educational institution -- given the variables that will affect what a student learns at…

Observation of the authority structure at Xanadu, a free school, revealed that students rejected direction early in the first year of their enrollment, then discussed in evaluation papers the need for authority from the staff in averting the very problems that arose. (JB)

Toffler discusses his views of a future world characterized by rapid and accelerating change and how education must change to meet this new world. The adaptation of the individual child to change, the opening of the classroom into the world, and the changes in interpersonal relationships are among topics discussed. Concludes with Toffler's…

Alternative schools provide a worthwhile model for educational improvement, in part because they offer a valuable model of the change process itself. Characteristics of alternative schools, their contrasts with traditional schools, and the value of providing parents and students with a choice are discussed. (PP)

A cooperative project, involving Empire State College and other institutions within the State University of New York, is described that introduces faculties and administrators at traditional campuses to the nontraditional modes and methodologies of instruction at Empire State. Participants' evaluation of the project are provided. (MLW)