This book asserts that alternative programs remain a practical management strategy for educating diverse student learners, offering specific ideas for program implementation, accountability for student learning, and quality service provision. The information serves as an overview of important factors to consider for those seeking new approaches to education of all children in alternative learning environments. It also serves as an outline of quality indicators for those already involved in managing education via alternative schools. The book addresses where alternative schools fit into school improvement initiatives and how public education can manage the many alternatives needed to serve diverse students. Chapters include: "Need for Alternative Schools"; "Types of Alternative Schools" (e.g., magnet schools and charter schools); "Delivery Models" (e.g., behavior intervention and the academic model); "Needs and Issues" (e.g., funding, accountability, and community relations); "Best Practices"; "Establishing an Alternative Program"; "Alternative School Evaluation"; "Analyzing and Using Evaluation Data"; and "Some Evaluation Pitfalls." Alternative education resources are included. (Contains 27 references.) (SM)