The St. Louis Public Schools have used magnet schools to meet the goals of desegregating the system and improving the quality of education for students. The changes in the St. Louis Schools began in 1975 with the issuance of a Consent Judgement and Decree. The Consent Decree provides broad guidelines which allow the system to develop specific programs that will satisfy the language of the decree, thus maintaining the maximum degree of local control possible under court-ordered desegregation. Financial problems which arose in implementation of desegregations plans were dealt with by a tax rate increase and funding through the Emergency School Aid Act. Other difficulties encountered in and implementation of the magnet schools program included delays in Federal reviews of funding proposals, difficulties recruiting students, site selection, provisions for student transportation, supplying materials, and program staffing. Program evaluation has indicated that although the program has had no dramatic effect on student achievement, positive results from the magnet schools are shown in social climate, staff satisfaction, and parental support. (Author/MK)