This document reports on a pilot project called "The Consortium of Schools for the Future," designed to anticipate and make necessary adaptations for the future of public education. A section describing the project precedes a discussion of the disparity between advantaged and disadvantaged students--particularly along racial and ethnic lines. Demographic information on Hispanics, Blacks, American Indians, and Asians in San Diego County, California, is given along with data on teen-pregnancy, poverty, drugs, AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), and gangs. The bulk of the document contains 15 case studies representing schools from all levels, school districts, and departments of education, as well as one home study alternative. Topics found in the case studies include school background, priorities, specific plans and projects, staff development, decision-making, problems, restructuring, school choice, tracking, technology, peer coaching, peer evaluation, key issues, curriculum, instruction, values, future plans, and parent, community, and school relationships. An annotated bibliography covering 11 videotapes, 2 audiotapes, and 100 written sources is appended along with sections on rewards incentives in the education profession, the issue of choice, and schools of the future. (CLA)