Alternative stream of education has been an important but difficult theme for teachers, parents, policy-makers, and scholars. This book focuses on case studies of six countries and on comprehensive analysis with international comparative methodologies. It also presents the legal and administrative features of the alternative education.

Alternative stream of education has been an important but difficult theme for teachers, parents, policy-makers, and scholars. The author worked on the field in the last decade in various countries in Asia, North and South America and Europe. By focusing on case studies of six countries (Bolivia, Thailand, Australia, USA, The Netherlands, and Denmark) and comprehensive analysis with international comparative methodologies, the author approaches nuts and bolts issues of alternative and mainstream education systems, including Charter Schools in USA, Waldorf Schools in Australia, etc. The study presents not only alternative form of education facing actual issues in societies but also legal and administrative features of the education. In doing such international comparative studies, this study leads us to a deep insight into what kind of school development should be appropriate in the 21st century. The book, dealing with issues of minority in education system, also will lead us to a further question: what kind of educational community we should create in the age of globalisation.

Preface. Contents. Figures. Tables. 1 Alternative Education: An Overview. 2 Case Study: Bolivia A Free School At The Foot Of The Andes. 3 Case Study: Thailand Alternative Schools In A Society Developing The Legal Framework For A Pluralistic Educational System. 4 Case Study: Australia Issues In Support Mechanisms Involving Alternative Schools. 5 Case Study: The Netherlands Alternative Education Shaken By Changes In Its Basic Foundation. 6 Case Study: The State Of Oregon In The United States Of America A Pluralistic Education System And Alternative Education Supported By The Law And The Key Initiators. 7 Case Study: Denmark Alternative Education Fostered By Support Mechanisms Cultivated Through The History Of The Common People. 8 How Much Alternative Education Is There? 9 Quality Assurance In Alternative Education: Current Circumstances And Issues. 10 The State Of Alternative Education In Different Countries. 11 References. Postlude.