At my high school and elementary school, alternative education was available and this is what changed my attitude toward learning. A combination of amazing teachers and a new approach which gets the student involved in shaping their own education by having a voice in the classroom. Instead of having information dictated to the class by the teachers, the students voted on what to learn, as well as collaborating in order to do projects which not only "tested" what was learned, but also applied that information. In elementary school we engaged more in projects and free time for reading or watching educational videos from the library or just talking and playing. In high school we had a judicial system called "fairness court" where we could petition assignments, treatment, etc. Students could solve conflicts with other students or teachers, and vice-versa. The emphasis was on choice in terms of the direction of the path of education and on learning through projects as opposed to learning only what's on a test as dictated by a teacher or board or whoever. It revived my love for learning because the material was what I was interested in, not what major conglomerate holding corporations are interested in.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-nelson/progressive-education_b_3719202.html
This article discusses the downside of a "factory" model as the author describes it, which is the mainstream format for education in our country. Progressive education has never actually been used, despite the backlash from conservative thinkers. Progressive does not mean an excuse to abuse drugs or goof off, but is more aptly described by the term "alternative education" as that is what it provides, an alternative for those who do not benefit from a traditional classroom format. As we discussed earlier this semester, there are certain teachers who reach certain students, and for me and many other students, this format reached us in a way the contemporary setting never did, and added a responsibility in order to take our own education
I think the alternative school is a great idea. I wonder how much of a difference it can make if more schools adopted this idea.Giving the students an opportunity to actively shape their education helps not only the student learn and be involved, but I'm sure the teachers can benefit from this as well.
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