As I pursued research for my book on the 1960s-era free school movement, I came across numerous references to the notion of “participatory democracy” as an alternative to modern political ideologies and practices. (1) Many of the young activists who formed SDS (Students for a Democratic Society) and other radical groups during that period of [...]
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Lead Middle School Teacher for Mountain Sun Community School, North Carolina
We are seeking a creative teacher with a pioneering spirit to serve as our lead middle school teacher. We are a small non-profit independent school that was founded by a parent committee in August 2008. We have grown from a 16 students in a 3-6 yr old classroom to 50 students in preschool through 6th [...]
Astra Taylor shares her experience of unschooling
Astra Taylor, self-taught filmmaker, shares her experience of being unschooled and how it has formed her view of education and creativity. What do you think of her experience?
Dale J. Stephen’s explanation of the higher education bubble
In traditional schooling the pervasive message told to children is that to be successful in life, they must go to college. However, no one talks about the student loan debt that is overarching the current credit card debt in America. Traditional higher education institutions are raising tuition costs while students are not learning the necessary [...]
Pass the Elmer’s please
“Education is the Glue of Democracy,” reads a billboard towering over I-90 just outside the birthplace of the American Revolution. “It is a sticky business these days, isn’t it?” I mused to myself as I zoomed by. Then a more serious thought: “Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Shouldn’t the right of every student [...]
Sir Ken Robinson says the current education system squanders creativity
Sir Ken Robinson shares his insights and thoughts into an education system that is modeled on the industrial revolution way of doing things. However, times have changed and many students are not getting the creative freedom and education that they need in today’s evolving and globalized world.
Skillshare: let’s start a learning revolution
A creative and informative look at the state the education system is in currently and how Skillshare is helping others to take education into their own hands.
Weekly link round-up
Here are some interesting news items from the last few days: In case you didn’t know, it’s National School Choice week! Diane Ravich spoke Friday night in Sacramento. Also on the bill in supportive roles were Linda Darling-Hammond, Anthony Cody, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, CTA Vice President Eric Heins, and the deans [...]
Staff at Summerhill School
A.S. Neill’s Summerhill School, a co-educational boarding school in Suffolk, England, is the original alternative ‘free’ school. Founded in 1921, it continues to be an influential model for progressive, democratic education around the world. We are seeking to recruit for September 2012: a Science Teacher an Art Teacher an English Teacher All three positions involve [...]


















