Democratic education

Teach for Humanity

Posted by Esther O. ⋅ November 1, 2011 ⋅ 3 Comments

This is a story about experience. Strangely enough, experience has the power to both sever and prompt connection. There are threads of my story—my experience—that are particular to me as a black child, a black woman, and an African immigrant. On the other hand, there are fibers in my story that are universal, and linked … Continue reading »

Occupy Wall Street: The Education Edition (Part 1)

Posted by daretheschool ⋅ October 10, 2011 ⋅ 17 Comments

I am very happy to say that I spent my weekend occupying Wall Street. During this time, I had the amazing opportunity to speak with people who are not only angry, but hopeful. They are individuals who protest our country’s economic policies not out of hatred, but out of love for our country. They see … Continue reading »

Say it ain’t over the rainbow

Posted by Chad Sansing ⋅ September 15, 2011 ⋅ 14 Comments

Our local school division redistricted my son this year. At his new school he sits on an exercise ball and uses a netbook that slides out from under his desk. He leaves class for a few hours per day to attend Talented and Gifted (TAG) class and something called TAG Extension. He says that TAG … Continue reading »

Free Schools Revisited: Revolution vs. Transformation

Posted by daretheschool ⋅ August 18, 2011 ⋅ 5 Comments

“The public school exists to turn out manageable workers, obedient consumers, manipulable voters, and if need be willing killers” -Jonathan Kozol author of Free Schools The most notable and recent movement for alternative education occurred in 1960’s to the early 1970’s, and was known as the “free school” movement. The free school movement was an … Continue reading »

On Networks

Posted by Thomas Steele-Maley ⋅ July 18, 2011 ⋅ 2 Comments

“A good educational system should have three purposes: it should provide all who want to learn with access to available resources at any time in their lives, empower all who want to share what they know know to find those who want to learn it from them; and , finally, furnish all who want to … Continue reading »

Pedagogy of Fear – Guest Post by Morna M. Mcdermott

Posted by Elisa Waingort ⋅ April 2, 2011 ⋅ 5 Comments

At The Learning Network listserv http://bit.ly/fZdb6v members have been engaging in thoughtful conversations about the current educational policy climate. But, we haven’t stopped there. We have also committed ourselves to do whatever it takes to reverse the damage that has been inflicted on teachers, students, and families. Some examples are: posting on various social media outlets, … Continue reading »

Bringing Democracy to Education

Posted by Education Revolution ⋅ March 9, 2011 ⋅ 3 Comments

Isaac Graves This article has been published in various forms by The Huffington Post, YES! magazine, Education Revolution, and the Institute for Democratic Education in America. Introduction As a leader within the alternative and democratic education community, I am frequently asked the question, “What is democratic education?” When I was a teenager, and at that … Continue reading »

Adora Svitak on the “big” changes in education

Posted by kima ⋅ February 25, 2011 ⋅ 14 Comments

In order to make anything a reality, you have to dream about it first! The goal is not to turn kids into your kinds of adults, but rather better adults than you have been! – Adora Svitak, 13 years old writer, poet and humanitarian speaking to adult audience at TED 2010 Editor’s note: Ever since I joined … Continue reading »

Authentic Literacy

Posted by Paula White ⋅ February 20, 2011 ⋅ 6 Comments

Time to Read and Write–and Discuss My fourth grade literacy group right now contains many kids I have not worked with a lot in the past, because our teachers differentiate well students’ levels in literacy. I work with a core group of kids 4 days a week and others who only come in for the … Continue reading »

Learning? Yes, of course. Education? No, thanks.

Posted by kima ⋅ February 17, 2011 ⋅ 21 Comments

Education teaches us that our native abilities for learning are inadequate, that they must be developed and improved upon by submitting to or even seeking out pedagogical management of some sort. ~ Aaron Falbel, a free-lance writer, editor, philosopher, and musician I was recently introduced to Aaron Falbel, who had the great privilege to have known and be … Continue reading »

Think Outside the Book

Posted by kima ⋅ February 11, 2011 ⋅ 19 Comments

“I have never let school interfere with my education.” -Mark Twain This is a guest post written by Dale J. Stephens, an unschooler and founder of UnCollege – a self-directed learning higher education alternative.I had an opportunity to meet Dale through Twitter and since then had got to know him better through our email and Skype … Continue reading »

The future of big box schooling

Posted by kima ⋅ January 24, 2011 ⋅ 5 Comments

I recently posted my thoughts on Schooling the World, an important film that takes a look at the value of bringing Western-style education to sustainable indigenous cultures and beyond. I personally — and as I mentioned in my post, it seems Sir Ken Robinson too — believe the film raises many important questions which are … Continue reading »

If School is a Race to Nowhere, Where’s the Somewhere We Should Be Racing Toward?

Posted by zoeweil ⋅ December 6, 2010 ⋅ 18 Comments

I recently watched a screening of the film Race to Nowhere, about how the pressure on our children in school is making them so stressed out that they become sick and depressed and cheat with abandon. It’s a powerful film — one that every parent and teacher should watch. It’s also an interesting counterpoint to … Continue reading »

The kind of mayoral engagement I think we can celebrate

Posted by scottnine ⋅ November 30, 2010 ⋅ 2 Comments

Imagine a small city of 200,000 people whose mayor has earned the trust, partnership, and respect of its educators (both public and private), business leaders, youth, and parents. A mayor whose calendar reflects a real commitment to an honest conversation about ways the entire city can become a school – in the best use of … Continue reading »

Week of May 31st, 2010

Posted by coopcatalyst ⋅ May 31, 2010 ⋅ 5 Comments

As Americans celebrate Memorial Day, at the Coöp we’re asking ourselves what educational counternarratives can help us bring about a revolution in democratic, authentic education – a kind of education that recognizes the values of passion and responsibility in nurturing and protecting our freedoms, joys, learning, and world. Specifically, we’re looking for and posting about … Continue reading »

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