This paper contributes to the knowledge about the effects that magnet schools have on improving educational quality. The history of magnet schools in American education is examined, linking it with several recent movements to reform and reorganize schooling. A synthesis of research findings from 12 district studies of magnet schools and various other studies conducted in the past 6 years provides data that are examined. The studies focus on magnet high schools' distribution, their educational effects on students, and their effects on education district-wide. Both the data from the studies and the studies themselves are evaluated. The implications of the various studies' findings on educational effects for education decision-makers are discussed, and specific recommendations for improving research for analyzing educational effects of magnet schools are made. Thirty-seven references are included. A list of the 12 district studies is appended. Table 1 provides the data on enrollment trends in magnet schools from 1982-83 and 1988-89. Table 2 provides an analysis of measures and findings on educational effects from the 12 studies. Three figures are also included. (JS)