In the early summer of 1972 the Institute for Services to Education formed a small task force group to conduct a limited but systematic inquiry into the status of Black Studies programs at a selected number of American institutions of higher education. The major purposes of the study are: (1) the formulation of a workable definition of Black…

The primary characteristics of steady state is that it lessens the flexibility of an institution to respond to the demands of change. The phenomenon of steady state will not appear suddenly on campuses throughout the country in the late 1970's and early 1980's when the number of high school graduates diminishes. It is a gradual process influenced…

The norms and structure of student subcultures in a public alternative "high school without walls" in a large city are explored. The focus is on the attitudes of subculture members toward the innovative educational program and toward intergroup relations. The strengths and weaknesses of various research methodologies are investigated by…

Many alternative schools established in the late 1960's and early 1970's eventually dissolved or became as traditional as their predecessors. This paper offers an organizational explanation of the failure of alternative schools. The author discusses criteria for identifying alternative schools and suggests a three-stage developmental model…

This paper discussed an alternative school in which the roles of teachers have been redefined to include counseling functions. The counselor is a staff developer for the teachers, a community resource person, and an advocate for students in police court procedures. The psychologist is a staff developer for special techniques, a definer of…

This paper describes the educational movement toward alternative schools and suggests further sources of information concerning this change in American education. Following an analytical comparison of open and traditional schools, the author discusses some of the most important perceived problems related to open schools. Problems noted are…

The idea of deschooling society is presented in diverse forms by this collection of criticisms, suggestions, and experiments for education. A first group of essays takes the historical perspective and examines the goals and problems of the past and their relation to our present educational system. Other articles criticize modern education,…

This study attempted to (1) gather systematic and objective data on the alternative school and (2) identify the perceptions of teachers in both alternative and public schools about the tasks they perform and the parents and students with whom they deal. The study focused on authority structures and processes of evaluation. Data were collected on…

In this guide to alternative education, the theory and practice of the "free school" movement is discussed from a pedagogical and political viewpoint. The current state of free schools is described and four major types of free schools are identified: Summerhillian, parent-teacher cooperative, free high schools, community elementary. The political…

Graduate education is in an accelerated state of change. Discussed is its responsiveness or unresponsiveness to the forces of change. After contrasting traditional and alternative forms of graduate education, recommendations are made that: (1) graduate institutions and departments should periodically redefine their goals and objectives and make…

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), following two and one half years of intensive study and planning, has developed and begun the implementation of a PLAN for a new and comprehensively different educational program, responsive to the needs of individual students, society, and encouraging sensitivity to the ideas and values of civilization. In…

Career education is the focus of this transcript of an electronic weekly magazine devoted to coverage of news, features, policy, and people in the field of education. This program transcript incorporates studio interviews with Sidney P. Marland, Jr. (who was U.S. Commissioner of Education in 1971, and coined the term "career education");…

Ideal School is an alternative school in the Vancouver, British Columbia school system, which has approximately 100 students, five teachers and one administrative assistant. Students come from varied backgrounds and are accepted on the basis of their desire to learn and their willingness to face challenges which are individually set in accordance…

Seventh grade students (N=9) from a small rural school in Ridgway, Colorado were exposed to a teacher-developed individualized program in modern math during the 1962-63 school year and again the following year. The students were divided into an average and above group and a below average group; group assignments were determined by IQ scores, the…

The purpose of this practicum was to improve the opinions of the Delano Joint Union High School District's staff and selected students toward Valley Continuation High School. The sample consisted of 524 students and 187 district certified and classified employees. Techniques used to effect the change of attitudes were a tour of the school, an…