Proposes three principles for a new progressivism. These establish the nature of individualism in education, the need to empower individuals through education, and the economy of means by which this can be achieved through progressivist methodology. Assumes a constructivist rather than a social-constructivist model of human development. (MJP)

Discusses the dilemma of losing concerned parents as advocates for better public schools when they choose alternative schools, the pros and cons of vouchers, and the free market's effect on public education. A discussion of Mr. Rogers, Dr. Spock, Sesame Street, and various nuns and monks highlights characteristics that are valuable in working with…

This paper reviews what some leading critics of public schools say about social studies curriculum and suggests implications of the growing "free schools" movement. The social studies have been charged with the socialization of children into the existing majority culture, and with teaching the knowledge and skills required for effective…

Students from the Free School in Albany, New York, arranged and financed a road trip to the National Coalition of Alternative Community Schools conference in Pennsylvania. In exchange for a portion of travel expenses, they visited a struggling new charter school in Florida and demonstrated their democratic decision-making process. (TD)

Two chapters of a serialized book develop the idea that attention-deficit disorder is created by the conventional school's rigid enforcement of a spirit-deadening "order" that suppresses children's natural behaviors. Anecdotes from Albany's Free School describe incidents in which two very active and intelligent boys developed some…

The four issues of "Skole" published in 1995 include articles examining alternatives to public education and the value of free schools. Free schools offer an unstructured curriculum in which comparisons between students are eliminated and students are empowered to be responsible for their learning. Proponents of this approach to…

To help educators continue to refine approaches to nourishing children's imaginations, this bibliography brings together 652 references on alternative school systems. The references are arranged into 17 categories and indexed by subject category and author. The categories include alternative, cooperative, experimental, interdisciplinary, and…

This 6-part bibliography lists those sources of possible interest to readers or researchers that appeared as of December 1971. In part I the terminology is clarified, and a view of the open education philosophy and a short historical overview of open space school design are provided. Parts II, III, and IV contain listings of publications…

This anthology compiles over 90 articles, short pieces, and book reviews originally published in Skole: The Journal of Alternative Education. The entries are arranged in 10 sections: schools and school people, teaching and learning, teaching and learning at home, history of innovative education, student writings, social change and comment, battle…

Reflects on the experiences of an American teacher of a Japanese university education course that focused on reading selected works by Western educators and on alternative models of education. Includes student responses to class readings, nontraditional education, educational philosophy, and the value of academic freedom. (LP)

Introduces the idea that attention deficit disorder is a myth brought about by society's attempts to alter and adapt children's natural behaviors to fit the routines and limits of a flawed educational system. Anecdotes from Albany's Free School describe ways of working with children as unique individuals, based on the faith in every child's inborn…

Five study papers by educators from India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand focus on: (1) policies and strategies in the implementation of universalization of education; (2) current policies and strategies in the preparation of teachers; and (3) recommendations for teachers in the universalization of education. Each of these elements…

Starting with the contention that we need to restore a wider range of choice to parents in their children's education, this paper lists and reviews the varieties of public education currently available throughout the country, and discusses their advantages and disadvantages. These varieties include magnet schools, alternative schools, independent…

The four issues of the journal SKOLE published in 1997 contain articles, personal narratives, and interviews about small alternative schools, home schooling, educational history, the deficiencies of public education, and educational philosophy and innovations. Major articles include: "The Creatures They Are: Children Becoming Their Nature" (about…

The Minneapolis public school system is philosophically committed to providing for and encouraging the development of individual differences found in the highly diverse population the schools serve. A demonstration program offering a number of educational options to the heterogeneous population of the small geographically unified area of Southeast…