This evaluation of the alternative and partnership schools of the Milwaukee (Wisconsin) public schools (MPS) was commissioned in 1992 and continued in 1993 to provide a qualitative description of the MPS alternative and partnership school network and to give the school system an assessment of each of the programs to determine its viability. Eighteen partnership schools and 9 MPS alternative schools were evaluated. The current report brings together findings from both phases of the evaluation and makes recommendations for the continuation and improvement of these programs. The evaluation strongly suggests the need for a major change in the approach to alternative and partnership programs, with restructuring to overcome the basic problem where there is neither a rational nor educationally sound philosophy guiding the operation and funding of these schools. The network should be seen as a complementary system of true alternatives and not merely as safety valves for traditional schools. The practices that are effective in the best of these schools should be replicated, while those that are ineffective are eliminated. Funding and staffing for effective programs should be priorities. Six figures illustrate the discussion. Nine appendixes provide supporting information, including a list of effective programs for at-risk students. (Contains 39 references.) (SLD)