During a merger, an Australian high school was designated as specializing in foreign languages and developed a program consisting of six languages (French, German, Italian, Modern Greek, Latin, and Mandarin Chinese). The program is described, focusing on admission policies, testing procedures, program design and administration, facilities, and…

Educational opportunity is often based on standardized testing and normative educational structures, which can perpetuate labeling and inequality. Rather than force students to conform to fixed expectations and models, schools must assure the delivery of educational services to all students through individualized instruction and alternative…

Describes forms of parental choice that have been proposed as policy tools to improve education and reviews research that supports these options. Parents who exercise choice tend to be better educated and to be already involved in their children's education. In the current debate, many have ignored nonchoosing parents. (SLD)

Reports the results from a longitudinal cohort analysis of achievement among elementary magnet students, neighborhood school students, and predominantly black transfer students in one urban district with a school choice program. Two successive cohorts of students were compared on achievement scores. Results indicated magnet students generally had…

To help relieve the shortage of African-American teachers, several school systems have initiated teacher education magnet programs for high school students. The Teaching Professions Program of Coolidge High School (Washington, DC) targets career interest in teaching at an early age and exemplifies program advantages and weaknesses. (SLD)

Described is the relationship between a middle school and a medical school. Discussed are the background; selection, recruitment and enrollment of students; fostering teacher commitment and cooperation; curriculum design and implementation; student and parent involvement; and applicability to other settings. (KR)

Presented are 25 science activities on colorations of prey, evolution, blood, physiology, nutrition, enzyme kinetics, leaf pigments, analytical chemistry, milk, proteins, fermentation, surface effects of liquids, magnetism, drug synthesis, solvents, wintergreen synthesis, chemical reactions, multicore cables, diffraction, air resistance,…

Twenty science experiments are presented. Topics include recombinant DNA, physiology, nucleophiles, reactivity series, molar volume of gases, spreadsheets in chemistry, hydrogen bonding, composite materials, radioactive decay, magnetism, speed, charged particles, compression waves, heat transfer, Ursa Major, balloons, current, and expansion of…

Describes a magnet school in Revere, Massachusetts, developed around the theme of a technology-based curriculum for the purpose of integrating the district made up predominately of Southeast Asian students. Discusses the shcool's design, instruction and administration, library services, computer laboratories, and instructional adjustments made by…

Teachers in a Spanish/English dual language elementary school in Tucson (Arizona) promote Spanish literacy using a school-designed program. The schoolwide, nonscripted program has been successful in supporting the transfer of reading skills from Spanish to English and in including special education students in dual language schooling. (Contains 33…

Reports a study that analyzed relationships between enrollment in elementary magnet schools and related socioeconomic, racial, and geographic variables in a big city school system. Variables related to parent socioeconomic status and proximity to magnet schools were found to be significant predictors of magnet enrollment. (Author/SM)

Discusses the impact of school choice on educational outcomes, examining: whether there is any evidence that the various alternatives to traditional public schools are delivering education in a fundamentally different and more efficient form; what the equity consequences and demographic implications are for enhanced school choice; and how enhanced…

To reduce liability risks, there are no substitutes for knowing law and policies, consulting with an attorney beforehand, providing adequate staff training, and documenting efforts. School law hot spots include negligence, religion, discipline policies, sexual harassment, magnet school diversity policies, and high-stakes testing. (MLH)

This report is one of a series exploring the way several important school districts across the country are dealing with the problems of separate and unequal education for minority students. The working of the choice and magnet school program of the Montgomery County (Maryland) public schools, a system that has never been under a court order to…

This report is the result of a 2-year study of three ethnic specific schools in Minneapolis and St. Paul (Minnesota). Key informants and public policy makers were interviewed during the first year of the study. In the second year, the parents and teachers at the three schools were both surveyed and interviewed. In all three schools, a sense of…