Describes a multiyear program in the Jacksonville (FL) schools that identifies high achieving students during elementary school and grooms them, through special advanced classes and summer programs, to work toward achieving high scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test in high school. The program has increased student achievement and the number of…

Reports the results of a year-long program incorporating intensive journalistic writing into Advanced Placement English courses. Notes that most students who took the course received high scores on the Advanced Placement English Language and Composition test, and that all students in the course improved their writing. (MM)

Describes the author's experiences when incorporating an intensive journalistic writing program into her high school English class. (MM)

Magnet schools have developed strong national and local constituencies among parents and educators, who see them as vehicles for bringing equity and academic excellence to all students. Typically, these schools offer innovative programs through a specialized focus or theme. They may emphasize subjects like science or the arts, or they may adopt…