Describes the concept of education vouchers, discusses opposition to vouchers, and outlines the minimal requirements of a regulated voucher plan'' currently proposed by the Office of Economic Opportunity and the Center for the Study of Public Policy. (JH)

The Education Commission of the States along with the Center for School Change at the University of Minnesota surveyed 110 charter schools, more than two-thirds of the schools approved in 7 states. Charter school officials advise others interested in opening their own school to establish a clear vision, mission, and philosophy, and to devote…

Board members would be wise to use their power to keep superfluous or worthless innovations from wasting time and strangling schools. (Author/IRT)

Education improves when money is scarce because innovations and marginal programs are cut and the schools return to teaching the fundamental skills. (IRT)

The current energy crisis provides the opportunity to supply the next generation of Americans with the information and insights necessary to deal rationally with energy needs, changing lifestyles, environmental concerns, and the control of energy decisions that affect everyone. (Author)

Reports on an elementary school in Tokyo, Japan; an apprenticeship program in Germany; and a magnet school in Evanston, Illinois. Suggests some lessons U.S educators might learn from these nations in the areas of national curriculum, length of school year, tracking, and school-to-work transition. (MLF)

Before persistent criticism stalls much-needed change in K-14 mathematics, school board members should weigh critics' objections against the strong case for reform made by leading professional organizations in mathematics and education. Traditional approaches are not yielding satisfactory student learning. Recent innovations show great promise.…

A Rand Corporation study finds that an innovation is likely to fail if a school is in it for the money; however, if a school identifies a genuine problem and tries to solve it, the innovation is likely to succeed. (Author/IRT)

Discusses what education might be like in the year 2002. (JF)

Offers suggestions to superintendents on allotting leisure time, evaluating new or innovative proposals, using staff evaluation as a tool for professional development, keeping management schemes sensitive to people, and using teamwork to capitalize on individual strengths and minimize weaknesses. (Author/WD)

The Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center--the MET--is a multimillion-dollar Rhode Island effort to emphasize learning in real-world situations. Internships have become the torque that drives each student's education plan, focusing on higher level skills rather than on skills specific to a certain trade. (MLF)

Nathan Hale Senior High School in West Allis, Wisconsin was designed to survive inevitable educational innovations adjusting to predicted trends. The architects planned three study-groups of schoolrooms. Each group can operate independently affording a more intimate air than the usual atmosphere of a massive school. Classroom "clusters" are…