In 1974, the federal court in Boston ordered busing and a massive effort to accelerate the pace of academic progress in the Boston schools. Included in the order was the creation of twenty-two magnet schools and an unprecedented level of parent participation with the vehicles to make it possible. (JOW)

Presents an activity for students to construct their own two-cup balances. Suggests some alternatives for rejuvenating weak bar magnets. Describes how to remove burnt carbon deposits from glass vessels. (NB)

Surveyed elementary teachers in magnet and non-magnet schools regarding: level of commitment, whether choosing to teach in a school created more commitment than being assigned, and indicators of professionalism related to commitment. Forming a community of learners significantly enhanced teacher commitment. In all situations, teachers who felt a…

Presents a science activity on collecting micrometeorites from rainwater using magnets. Includes procedural information. (YDS)

Based on a sample of school districts, this study determined that magnet schools generally cost more than nonmagnets; however, most extra costs were fixed. As enrollments increased, per pupil costs actually decreased to a point near or below nonmagnet costs. Magnet schools with higher costs tended to have higher integration and educational…

Describes various school choice options and explains how each relates to school improvement. Variations include interdistrict choice, postsecondary options, second-chance programs, teacher-initiated or chartered schools, controlled choice (to aid desegregation efforts), and magnet schools offering choice within a traditional district assignment…

Study of injuries, health office visits, and school absences of 983 children enrolled in three elementary schools indicated that absence frequency was significantly related to school hours, with fewer absences found in schools with extended hours. Magnet school enrollment was positively associated with rates of health office visits and injuries.…

Describes mainstreaming at the Dowling Urban Environment Learning Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota--a fully inclusive, racially mixed, K-6 magnet school that is expensive but well worth the cost. This school has a clear purpose, few signs of emotional exhaustion among staff, and little depersonalization. Dowling's ambience is in marked contrast to…

Discusses the actual evaluation procedures of magnet schools from several standpoints, including evaluation methodology, using actual evaluations, and new evaluation research areas. (SR)

Discusses common as well as uncommon minerals that are attracted to a hand magnet. Included in the discussion are answers to the following questions: (1) What causes this attraction? and (2) How many different minerals respond to a hand magnet? (ZWH)

Describes the Clarkton School of Discovery in Clarkton, North Carolina, a gifted-and-talented magnet middle school that is open to all students in the school district. (SR)

Describes quality study of the extent of racial segregation in the classrooms of a school-within-a-school magnet high school. Four students collected data using interviews, journals, and disposable cameras. Finds that while entire school is racially integrated, many classrooms are not, largely because of structural and attitudinal conditions.…