This is the second book in a sequence of four volumes written and designed for parents of students of science, particularly for those at the lower and upper elementary and junior high or intermediate level, senior high students, college students preparing to teach science, and all those individuals who are interested in science and the application…

Six thematic activity booklets are presented for implementing Project EAGLE, an enrichment program for gifted and talented primary-level children. "Animals 3" introduces endangered animals and locates their home areas on maps or globes, using nine learning activities involving science and creative writing. "Magnets" discusses…

Summarizing an evaluation of the kindergarten through grade 12 art program of the Des Moines (Iowa) Independent Community School District (DMICSD), this volume looks at the art program's purpose, context evaluation, input evaluation, process evaluation, product evaluation, and future plans. Art is included without option in the DMICSD elementary…

This document consists of nine papers which discuss the planning and design, implementation and maintenance, and evaluation of magnet schools. They are based on practical experience with magnet schools, which first appeared in the early 1970s. By 1982, the movement had grown to include more than 1,200 schools in 140 urban school districts, and the…

This paper provides a case study of eight magnet schools in Austin, Texas, to illustrate the role of evaluation research in assessing the impact of the magnet school experience on students and parents. After an introduction, the paper describes the history of Austin's magnet schools at the elementary, junior high, and high school levels. Next,…

This paper, based loosely on findings presented in the other papers collected with it in a single volume, discusses general issues in designing magnet schools, focusing on three main themes: (1) the interdependence of program design and recruitment issues; (2) school level practices which help to turn racial desegregation into racial integration;…

A study of the implementation and effectiveness of a unique magnet program, this first-year evaluation deals with the International Baccalaureate/Writing Academy magnet program implemented at San Diego (California) High School during the 1985-1986 school year. The first chapter points out issues and concerns of the program, while the second…

Artist/teachers are professional artists in various fields who teach in high schools for the visual and performing arts. Although many hold advanced degrees, few have taken courses in teaching methods. Nevertheless, as a group artist/teachers have a reputation for teaching excellence. Participants in this study of the psychological characteristics…

Because Americans are spending increasing sums on education without noticeable improvement in student achievement, school choice is becoming the hottest item on today's reform agenda. Choice must not be limited to the affluent; it is most needed by financially poor parents whose children are trapped in the most inferior schools. The chief…

In 1984, a research study was conducted to document whether magnet schools provide quality education and promote racial/ethnic balance. As a result of the study it was found that magnet schools: (1) are associated with positive student achievement; (2) produce consistent effects in elementary and secondary schools and in schools with different…

This paper describes the Scientific Tools and Techniques course for ninth grade students in the Dekalb County, Georgia, public high schools. The course is offered at the Fernbank Science Center, a magnet school owned by the Dekalb County Schools and Fernbank Incorporated and operated by the school system. Investigations are described in the…

Contemporary desegregation planning has been dominated by the use of magnet schools and the controlled choice process. This paper includes an examination of the organizing principles of magnet schools. Following the description of the architecture of the magnet schools themselves is a review of the organizing principles involved in the controlled…

This paper presents a special case of collaboration involving the University of Maryland and the Prince George's County public schools. This program has created a magnet school with a college preparatory curriculum and an instructional program designed to meet the needs of college-bound minority high school students of all ability levels and…

This report is the fifth in a series of studies on 14 elementary magnet schools in the Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland. The focus is over a three-year period from 1983 through the 1985-86 school year. Ten of the elementary schools are from the Montgomery Blair High School area and four are in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School area.…

In October 1984, 1985, and 1986, as part of the annual School Program Survey all elementary, secondary, and adult school principals in the Los Angeles School District were asked to provide information on their current computer usage and estimates for coming semesters. This report analyses the data for each semester in the 1984-85 to 1986-87 school…