The Web resources listed below that were not developed by the U.S. Department of Education are provided as examples of materials that may be helpful to the reader. The listings should not imply an endorsement by the Department of the resources or the Web sites. There may be many other useful Web sites on these topics.

The Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) of the U.S. Department of Education provides grants to districts whose magnet program is implemented under a mandatory (e.g., court-ordered) or federally approved voluntary desegregation plan. The MSAP Web site provides details of the grants competition, including eligibility criteria, as well as abstracts of sample programs and a detailed “Frequently Asked Questions” section. http://www.ed.gov/programs/magnet/index.html.

The Policy and Program Studies Service of the U.S. Department of Education contracted an evaluation of the Magnet Schools Assistance Program 1998 Grantees. The final report of this study conducted by the American Institutes for Research and published in 2003 includes both a cross-site report and case studies of eight districts. http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ods/ppss/reports.html.

Magnet Schools of America is a membership organization that: promotes goals of desegregation, equity, and excellence through the expansion and improvement of magnet schools, encourages the passage of legislation at both the state and national levels that will promote the development and improvement of magnet schools, and promotes networking among magnet schools. It hosts an annual conference and publishes books and resources, including the Blueprint CD-ROM described below. http://www.magnet.edu/.

Blueprint for Understanding and Operating Successful Magnet and Theme-Based Schools. Authors: Drs. Judith S. Stein, Phyllis M. Olmstead; Editors: Dr. Robert G. Brooks, Mr. Phale D. Hale. This Multimedia PC CD-ROM provides a “how to” approach to understanding, planning, and operating magnet and theme-based educational programs. Specific guidelines for designing an academic program, staffing, budgeting, and marketing are offered.

The Education Commission of the States includes magnet schools as one of the key issues in K-12 education on its Web site. The site presents the issue and provides references and links. http://www.ecs.org/.

There are ten regional Equity Assistance Centers funded by the U.S. Department of Education under Title IV of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. They provide assistance to public schools in the areas of race, gender, and national origin to promote equal educational opportunities. http://www.edgateway.net/pub/docs/eacn/home.html.