Almost 14,000 students in the Cincinnati Public Schools attended alternative programs during the 1983-84 year. These voluntary programs were designed to create racially balanced schools and to provide specialized learning experiences along with traditional academic curriculum. Acceptance to the programs is based primarily on racial balance, but students must also meet skill or achievement requirements for some programs. Evaluation of the 1983-84 programs showed that enrollment was 54% Black, 43% White, and 3% other races, that 31 of the 42 alternative programs met the school system's racial balance guidelines, and that with the addition of two new alternative program sites, enrollment increased by 503 over the previous year. California Achievement Test results comparing alternative and non-alternative students showed fewer alternative students in the below average stanines, approximately the same percentage of both groups achieving at the average stanines, and a larger percentage of alternative students in the above average stanines. Additional test results showed similar gains between groups in mathematics and slightly higher gains for the alternative group in reading. Results of attitude surveys displayed higher positive responses by the alternative groups. Monies allocated for excess teachers and instructional assistants totaled approximately $4,093,368. The non-personnel allocated budget amounted to $249,650. (KH)