The author begins by examining the functions of the school and the basic principles governing the provision of education in the American democracy as a way of providing a framework for analyzing proposals for the reform of secondary education. He then examines proposals for reform. His major focus is on ten proposals made by agencies,…

Information on Florida public education student acceleration programs is contained in this 1974 report to the legislature, compiled by the Florida State Department of Education. There are six means used in Florida schools to fulfill the legislative mandate to provide time-shortened educational programs at all levels of the educational system: (1)…

The values and progress of the middle school movement are examined in this speech. The impact of the recent emphasis on basic skills and conventional instructional methods on the middle school concept of humanistic education is explored. The author foresees either a frightening, Orwellian future for middle school education in which adolescents are…

Parents of students who attended public schools in the West Area of the Minneapolis school district were surveyed in the Fall of 1974 to (1) determine parent feelings about educational alternatives, (2) give parents input into the decision-making process, and (3) provide parents with information about educational choices and alternatives. The…

The methodological difficulty of evaluating alternative programs in specific, measurable terms is described. Based on an alternative program at Talawanda High School in Oxford, Ohio, the writer attempted to develop a model for evaluating an alternative program. The following evaluation procedures were selected: (1) attendance and grades prior to…

The instructional staff at the Southeast Alternatives (SEA) program operated by the Minneapolis Public Schools were surveyed to determine their reaction to the SEA program. The two major objectives of the survey were to obtain staff opinion on issues concerning the program as well as progress toward achieving SEA major goals. The major findings of…

We must learn to anticipate and to alter our futures, and higher education holds the key to that achievement. The role of universities is defined as twofold: (1) to bring about a well-balanced industrial society in which there is sufficient diversity of ideas; and (2) to redesign the industrial society to cope with problems brought about by…

There are at least five models for the way that learning environments are structured: (1) autocratic, (2) traditional liberal, (3) open classroom, (4) unified education, and (5) free school. The Unified Studies Program tries to blend the models in the middle. At the same time, unified education has some unique qualities that the program also tries…

Recently a great deal of attention has been given to Chicano education. Much of the agitation for Chicano recognition within the educational system has been spearheaded by the youth in the public schools and by a small number of older and respectable Chicano activists and educators. This paper analyzes various educational reforms suggested by some…

As educators, we need to get beneath the museum approach to Indian life so that we may give our youth the wisdom they desire to deal with modern life in pride and dignity. Since our present educational system has proved incapable of aiding our youth in their search for meaning, it is good to hear Indian people saying "We want to control our…

An alternative form of schooling in a metropolitan community is projected in scenario form, tracing the school-life activities of a fictional 1978 high school junior. The conceptual model is of an open community which allows the student to move freely about in the world of work, integrating academic learning with a variety of placement experiences…

The economic situation has limited the number of teaching jobs available for physical education majors. The determination of priorities is essential in planning for a teaching job. As an alternative to teaching there are job possibilities in sport centers, commercial sport establishments, fitness salons, dance studios, and self-styled teaching…

Walbridge Academy, the oldest alternative education program in the Grand Rapids School System, has a student population of about 250 students in grades 7 through 12. The majority of students are admitted to Walbridge on a first-come, first-served basis; however, some positions are reserved for students who have been placed on extended suspension…

The Sweet Street Academy is a school within a school. Most of its 26 students are below grade level in reading and mathematics and have histories of behavioral difficulties or adjustment problems. The objectives of the program are to build meaningful personal relationships with each student and to develop student reading and mathematics…

Described is an innovative program of noncategorical education for both normal and developmentally delayed infants and preschool children. Focused upon are such aspects of program design and operation as early intervention, integration of delayed and nondelayed toddlers and preschoolers matched on the basis of developmental level rather than…