Several public school choice programs are reviewed, and the model program implemented by the Montclair (New Jersey) Public Schools is evaluated. School choice models include: the regulated voucher system, alternative schools, and magnet schools. The Montclair system is an urban school district that has achieved success in desegregating its schools through a voluntary magnet school plan based on choice. Montclair has a total enrollment of 5,104 students, of which 49% are minority students. To study the effectiveness of Montclair's plan in providing racial balance across schools and educational quality and diversity in programs through the use of choice, a case study of the district was conducted in 1987 and a follow-up was completed in the summer of 1989. The choice program allows parents to select the school that they wish their children to attend and register that choice with the central office. The research methodology used to assess the Montclair magnet system involved combining qualitative data (interviews, observation, and document reviews) with quantitative data (standardized tests, enrollments, and census data). Areas assessed include the level of racial integration at the school and classroom levels, general racial climate, quality of education, school climate, curriculum and instruction quality, and program diversity. A 41-item list of references, three figures, and eight data tables are included. A discussion of the case study method is appended. (TJH)