This update provides an overview of school-choice models and issues as they were defined in 1992. It describes how intra- and inter-district programs work and the factors that contribute to the effectiveness of a choice plan. Tensions in the choice debate center around the issues of diversity versus commonality, competition versus efficiency, and access versus equity. Legislative initiatives passed or being considered by the following western states--Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah--are described. Many researchers have pointed out that choice cannot be viewed as the answer to the complex problem of school reform. Because choice is not a low-cost reform effort, it must be linked to other improvement strategies and offer families genuine choice. (LMI)