Alternative streams of education have been and remain an important but difficult theme for teachers, parents, policy-makers, and scholars. By focusing on case studies of six countries (Bolivia, Thailand, Australia, USA, The Netherlands, and Denmark), and by comprehensively analysing these by means of international comparative methodologies, the author approaches the nuts and bolts issues of alternative and mainstream education systems. The case studies include Charter Schools in the USA and Waldorf Schools in Australia. The study presents not only an insightful analysis of alternative forms of education with regard to actual issues in societies and also legal and administrative features of education. It provides insights into the kind of school development that could be appropriate in the 21^st century and the types of educational communities we should seek to create in the age of globalisation.