The members of this task force examined ways states could encourage greater parental involvement in, and choice among, public schools. Following a list of the charges to the task force and information on the hearings and presenters, five papers are presented: (1) "Expanding Educational Opportunity and Choice" (Cindy K. Currence); (2)…

Designed to develop creativity in young learners, this book contains interdisciplinary activities which focus on the theme of electricity and magnetism. Activity pages are provided that can serve as front and back covers of a student booklet and the suggested activities can be duplicated for insertion between the covers resulting in a booklet for…

The role of the principal as leader has been a subject of considerable debate and research in education. This study examines the extent of variation in leadership behavior and activities among urban high school principals. Data were collected through interviews with principals and teachers in national samples of urban comprehensive high schools…

This model portfolio of school choices describes the following four types of schools available in the Detroit Public Schools: (1) specialty high schools at four locations, which offer scientific and artistic studies, aerospace technology instruction, science and applied technology, and a rigorous college preparatory curriculum; (2) the high school…

The object of this study was to compile data for a broadly based sample of 125 school districts showing enrollment by race between 1967 and 1985. The sample represents about 20 percent of national enrollment in public schools in 1968 and close to half of all minority enrollment. Data are presented to support an analysis of the relationships…

During the 1987-88 school year the New York City Board of Education instituted Magnet School Programs in the following high schools: (1) Central Park East Secondary School; (2) The High School for the Humanities; (3) Townsend Harris High School; and (4) John Dewey High School. The programs at these schools were designed to offer special curricula…

The fine arts magnet program of the Dade County (Florida) public schools was evaluated. These programs offer intensive and specialized fine arts instruction and serve artistically talented students in five elementary, two middle/junior high, and two senior high schools. Focus is on such programs at the Moton Elementary, Perrine Elementary, Norland…

This speech reports the recommendations of the National Science Board Commission on Pre-College Education in Mathematics, Science, and Technology. The commission was appointed to develop an action agenda for reversing the current decline in student achievement and participation in the area. The commission's 20 members, drawn from all sectors of…

This Third Edition of the 1985 report, "Dialogue for Change," discusses options and examples of educational choice and teacher empowerment and summarizes developments between 1985 and 1987. The following key options are discussed in Chapter 1, "Proposed Options for Change": (1) magnet schools; (2) open enrollment; (3) purchase…

An elementary school foreign language program and the French curriculum are described. French and Spanish are among the electives offered as part of a New Jersey magnet school for gifted children from preschool through grade 5. Participation in the daily half-hour instruction is entirely optional and has been growing in popularity during the 5…

In the long march from manual training, the subject which today is called technology education has always had to contend with the question of its legitimacy as valid school knowledge. In this regard, it shares a similar history of struggle with other subjects whose initial entry into the curriculum was based on a utilitarian rather than an…

The Physics Unit Tests are designed to assist in the diagnostic evaluation of students' progress in the study of physics during the last two years of secondary schooling. They consist of a collection of 21 separate tests, each related to a different topic, and 21 diagnostic aids corresponding to the tests. The topics covered are: physical…

The St. Louis Public Schools have used magnet schools to meet the goals of desegregating the system and improving the quality of education for students. The changes in the St. Louis Schools began in 1975 with the issuance of a Consent Judgement and Decree. The Consent Decree provides broad guidelines which allow the system to develop specific…

This report presents an overview of Cleveland's proposed magnet program for facilitating school desegregation and improving educational opportunities for students from diverse ethnic/racial backgrounds. Included are discussions of individual student needs, strategies for improved instruction, possible community impact, the United States Office of…

This study replicates and extends an earlier study of interracial interaction patterns in an open enrollment "magnet" school. The earlier study conducted during the school's first year of operation found that: (1) race is an extremely important grouping criterion even for students who have chosen a segregated school, (2) sex is an even more…