This guide explains the philosophy of "learner-centered schools." The term holds a variety of meanings for educators, such as the use of learning centers for a theme, topic, or subject area, alternative assessments in which students are evaluated in innovative ways, or continuous progress models with integrated thematic instruction and cooperative learning. In a learner-centered school, teachers are empowered to set goals, determine methodology, and conduct ongoing research and assessment to meet the demands of diverse student populations. Students benefit by truly becoming the central focus of the school. The guide examines and answers questions about every aspect of the learner-centered concept in the following nine chapters: (1) "What is the Learner-Centered Concept?"; (2)"What Do Schools Do to Promote Learner-Centered Classrooms?"; (3) "How Does a School Become Learner-Centered?"; (4) "What Individual Change Is Needed?"; (5) "What Does the Research Say about the Learner-Centered Classroom?"; (6) "What Are the Most Effective Instructional Strategies?"; (7) "How Do We Evaluate in the Learner-Centered Classroom?"; (8) What is the Parent's Role in the Learner-Centered School?"; and (9) "Where Do We Begin?". Contains 92 references. (AA)