This book provides new tools for thinking about and designing the education system. Four sections, each with its own introduction, follow Charles M. Reigeluth's introductory chapter, "Introduction: The Imperative for Systemic Change." Section 1 describes some theoretical frameworks for understanding the "big ideas" of system design. It includes: (1) "State Systems of Education and Systemic Change" (C. L. Hutchins); (2) "Designing Educational Systems: Creating Our Future in a Changing World" (Bela H. Banathy); (3) "Evaluating an Educational System Systematically" (C. Lynn Jenks); and (4) "Educational Reform: Top-Down or Bottom-Up?" (Robert M. Morgan). The second section describes models based on these educational theories. Chapters include: (5) "To Start a School: NASDC as a Catalyst for Systemic Change" (C. Reid Rundell); (6) "Envisioning a New System of Education" (Charles M. Reigeluth and Robert J. Garfinkle); (7) "Putting Technology to Work for School Reform" (Allan Collins, Donald Morrison, and Denis Newman); (8) "Do Charter Schools Offer Real Promise or False Hope?" (Scott Williams); and (9) "What Can We Learn from Corporate Education About Systemic Change?" (Jack E. Bowsher). Section 3 deconstructs the models by examining the following subsystems--finance, state policies, school boards, and student assessment. Chapters include: (10) "School Finance in a Transformed Education System" (Chris Pipho); (11) "State Policy and Systemic School Reform" (Marshall S. Smith, Jennifer O'Day, and Susan H. Fuhrman); (12) "You're Not Likely to Get There from Here" (Irene M. Brock); and (13) "Measuring Up: Student Assessment and Systemic Change" (Ruth Mitchell). In section 4, practitioners reflect on their experiences with real students and schools. Chapters include: (14) "Integration of Social Services in Education: A Process of Development" (James M. Caccamo and Diane F. Levitt); (15) "Toward a Common Vision: The Change Process in Practice" (Nancy A. S. Miller); and (16) "Expanding the Sphere: The Importance of Effective Communications in Change" (Lee Wiggam). References and an index are included. (LMI)