Proposes a framework for determining whether federal, state, or local governments should perform certain functions in education. Applies this framework to two areas--curriculum reform and enhanced educational opportunities for children with special needs--and suggests directions for federal policy in these areas. (GC)

Controlled choice is a student assignment plan that divides a city into zones within which students may select a school to attend as long as balanced racial ratios are maintained. It is seen as an equitable way of deploying common community educational resources to guarantee student diversity and school improvement. (AF)

This article proposes that four major educational developments resulted from the Supreme Court's decision in "Brown v. Board of Education, Topeka": Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title I and Title VII, school finance, affirmative action, and multicultural education. Each of these major efforts was targeted to overcome discriminatory…