I remember talking about democratic schools and free schools with someone years ago and they told me that those types of schools were a failure - end of conversation. Failure? To whom? To a section of our population a traditional school is failing. I'm wondering why we don't try something radical with our non typical students. I'm thinking of our drop-outs.
I am totally ignorant as to why a student would opt out of high school without having read, "The Teenage Liberation Handbook" first. I wonder what recent and past drop-outs would say if you asked them, "If you could design a school from the ground up what would it look like to be relevant to your life? What did you need that a traditional school did not provide? A more flexible schedule? More interesting courses? A focus on other talents besides academic talent? Would you like to help brainstorm, plan, design, and even build this school?" I'm curious as to what teens could come up with. Is anyone else curious?
I imagine the movie, "Accepted." I bet if you asked teens to design their own school and course of study it wouldn't look as crazy as the curriculum created at South Harmon Institute of Technology. I bet it would look more like a tech, video production, music, and arts magnet school. What if that's what our community needs? Not more traditional high schools - but smaller schools relevant to our changing community.
It was the Albany Free School in New York that set up and operated in the ghetto. I don't know if this was its focus but what it did was create an environment where students could learn and practice how to peacefully resolve issues and differences. Students had power and clout in the school because each student had a vote as to the function, operation, and direction of the school - even the hiring of the teachers. It was theirs. They took pride in it. Isn't that needed?
If we really cared about our community we would care about our drop-outs. We would find what type of school is needed - ask them - let them help plan it - let them help design it - while we are at it maybe teach them how to help built it - and build it to meet their needs instead of writing them off because - they couldn't be good little pegs and attend 8am-4pm five days a week for four consecutive years... or perform to our narrow standards.
Maybe most people can't comprehend a democratic or free school but what if there was a magnet high school that focused on volunteerism, arts, video production, philosophy, democracy, and music? What's wrong with teaching History via Art History or Music History? Why can't there be an art class that touches on decoding graffiti where students white wash the side of a building to paint a seasonal mural every few weeks? That group of artists is needed all over our city!
If I had a million dollars I would purchase some acreage and create a riding school where students could help train, show, breed, sell, teach riding lessons, and raise horses. Maybe we could operate as an animal shelter too or take in unwanted horses. There would be a pond for fishing and plenty of climbing-trees with shade. Maybe we could recreate a model of our solar system using beach balls and float them in the pond. Maybe we could build tree houses or a boat from scratch for wood shop or use what we catch in the pond to dissect for science and use the meat for home-ec. Maybe we could plant a garden and sell our produce on market days. We could collect and display bugs for entomology. I would have all types of musical instruments and maybe a simple recording studio. You would be amazed at what all a musician could do with a computer and software.. We could play around with movie maker and create videos of our own versions of plays for Shakespearean Literature. We could write our own plays and others could perform them. Photography would be an important part of the curriculum. Other horse farms may want their show stallions photographed or sketched. Instead of football games we could invite the community to open mic night. Some farms might want videos of their horses made or a web page built to display their "horses for sale." Web design would be an elective. Maybe we could build our own cameras. I've seen step by step instructions on the internet. I'm sure there's some "how to" videos on YouTube... I would hope that my brother could visit and give some basic guitar lessons or share with us something interesting from his physics of music class. I would get all the equipment necessary to create a mini weather station at our school. We could have some students write and others report on "farm-campus" news... Maybe we could create a pod cast or skype with other schools... play newspaper and create our own publications... I don't know anything about that but maybe someone else would like to volunteer and teach us if we couldn't find out from google...
I'm just fantasizing, textually.
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Ex, thank you for the link.
WASP, if a teacher is smart enough, she can find a teachable moment even during "recess." ;)
October 31, 2009 at 9:44 a.m.I've been free-school-curious for years. I can remember dreaming of setting up a "cottage school" back when I was in college. I've only been able to read about democratic schools but the idea of allowing children freedom and choices really inspires me as I "teach my own."
I also remember, growing up, what caring for horses could do for children. One of the free schools that I read about doubled as a riding school. I thought that was cool since that's how I grew up - at least on week ends and summers. I wish I could combine and share those experiences with others but I'm content to stick to my tee-tiny one room school house, my three students and occasional guest-students, and visits to the farm.
But, I love imagining it. ;)
October 31, 2009 at 9:23 a.m.I don't think imagining something different is ever an attack on the norm - I think it's just part of being human - momthinking - momdreaming. I refuse to believe that all drop-outs are thugs. I have known a few who didn't fit that stereo-type. ;) Thanks for sharing your ideas.
October 31, 2009 at 8:43 a.m.It seems like what you are advocating is a school with nothing but recess and lunch. Oh how great it would be to play outside with animals, draw, paint, and color all day. What we need is more personal responsibility starting with the parents of the drop outs. Make your kids go to school.
October 31, 2009 at 8:37 a.m.If you want to learn about keeping school interesting look to the teachers who innovate in our nations prison's. These brave souls who keep 14-22 year old thugs who have been certified as adults in alternative facilities riveted to the materials are innovating in ways that the standard school teacher can learn a thing or two from.
October 31, 2009 at 3:47 a.m.Rebecca...did you have a bad experience when you attended school? You seem to have nothing but negative things to say when it comes to public education. Are you a teacher or just a parent who has all the answers on how to "fix" what you don't agree with. It is always so interesting to me when someone suggests that the kids should make the decisions on how they should be educated...the name says it all...kids. The natural state of the human race gives the job of raising, caring for, training and educating kids to adults. You should ponder the reasons why...and if you can't get there...read and re-read JohnnyHville's comment.
October 31, 2009 at 2:30 a.m.Rebecca, your desire to teach the secrets of knowledge shines from your heart through your words. Your delivery system for education is revolutionary in a movement away from our current warehouse education system. The politics involved in our current education delivery system are embedded in economical support of many individuals and industries.
October 30, 2009 at 11:10 p.m.Building construction, building furnishing, building maintence, educational materials, food services, nursing care, and etc.
It will take numerous brave politicians and educators to make legislative and regulation changes to make reasonable changes.
(and sports may have been the only thing keeping a kid in school)
October 30, 2009 at 4:02 p.m.Does "no pass no play" still exist? I haven't been to high school in 20 years but I remember those students who were gifted athletically but not academically. I wonder if that plays a roll in drop out rates. A student who knows he is at risk for failing a class knows not even to bother with sports.
October 30, 2009 at 3:46 p.m.I agree observer. Not all kids play sports or on a debate team. They weld, fix cars, do hair, hvac, web designs, etc.
couldn't a teacher be a sponsor and if the class fills its a go??
my "boys" loved shop at the middle school.
The way it looks like now > the major vendor pass is too Gerber and Huggies.
October 30, 2009 at 3:20 p.m.Rather than designing new schools, I would be delighted to see the return of Vocational Education to the current schools. I can think of no other action the education bureaucracy could take that has a better chance of reducing the current dropout rate.
October 30, 2009 at 3:13 p.m.Some free schools started out with just ONE other student. This imaginary meeting wouldn't be compulsory so you would only get those who DID care.
October 30, 2009 at 3:02 p.m.Your first mistake is assuming that dropouts and their parents give a shi+ about education to start with. Ask a drop out to design a school from the ground up, you will end up with a smoking room, co-ed nap room, McDonalds food service, free will to come and go, etc... nary anything remotely tied to acedemics in site.
October 30, 2009 at 2:56 p.m.