This report examines recent school choice developments in four broad areas: (1) the public's interest in public school choice; (2) state and federal government responses to this growing interest; (3) new research on existing programs permitting choice; and (4) prospects for expanding state efforts to promote public school choice. After providing definitions of terminology associated with school choice, the report summarizes state efforts to promote choice through local options (magnet and alternative schools) and metropolitan, limited, or comprehensive open entrollment plans. The third section describes major studies of several programs in Minnesota and Washington, the St. Louis and Wisconsin desegregation-choice plans, magnet schools in four large cities (Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York), and choice plans in Masachusetts and East Harlem, New York. The studies show mixed results, but do not necessarily contradict one another. A consensus is emerging concerning certain desirable features of public school choice plans. Prospects for expanding the state role in developing such plans is encouraging. The choice concept is gaining support from the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association. The federal government has spent millions of dollars to help districts establish magnet schools and has supported research on the design and impact of choice plans. (44 references) (MLH)