Alternative education

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about non-mainstream pedagogical approaches. For learning differences, see Special education. For education for gifted students, see Gifted education.

Alternative education encompasses many

independent schools as well as home-based learning environments. Many educational alternatives emphasize small class sizes, close relationships between students and teachers and a sense of community
.

The legal framework for such education varies by locality, and determines any obligation to conform with mainstream standard tests and grades.

Alternative pedagogical approaches may include different structures, as in the

Montessori schools.[1] Synonyms for "alternative" in this context include "non-traditional," "non-conventional" and "non-standardized". Alternative educators use terms such as "authentic", "holistic" and "progressive".[2]

History

Alternative education grew up in response to the establishment of standardized and

physically. After World War II an alternative Reggio Emilia approach to early-childhood education was developed in Italy, introduced by Loris Malaguzzi
.

Herbert Kohl and Jonathan Kozol, have criticized mainstream Western education from the viewpoint of liberal and radical politics. The argument for an approach catering to the interests and learning style of an individual is supported by research suggesting that a learner-responsible model is more effective than a teacher-responsible one.[4] Ron Miller has identified five elements common to educational alternatives:[5]

  1. Respect for the person
  2. Balance
  3. Decentralization of authority
  4. Noninterference among the political, economic, and cultural spheres of society
  5. A holistic worldview.

In modern times, at least in some localities, the legal right to provide educational alternatives has become established alongside a duty to provide education for school age children.

Localities

Canada

Education in Canada falls under the jurisdiction of the provincial government. Alternative education is provided in some public schools, such as Mountainview Montessori School and Trille des Bois Waldorf school in Ottawa,[6] as well as in independent schools, such as Toronto Montessori Schools and Vancouver Waldorf School.[7]

Origins

Alternative education in Canada stems from two philosophical educational points of view, Progressive and Libertarian.[8] According to Levin, 2006 the term "alternative" was adopted partly to distinguish these schools from the independent, parent-student-teacher-run "free" schools that preceded them (and from which some of the schools actually evolved) and to emphasize the boards' commitment to options within the public school system. Progressive educational tradition places emphasis on both the need to incorporate curriculum and teaching to match the stages of child development and the gradual integration of the child into adult society through planned experiential learning. The sources of stimulus would be from the philosopher John Dewey in the United States, from post WW1 New Schools in Great Britain and the Steiner/Waldorf schools in Europe. The Libertarian tradition focuses on the rights of the parents and children to make their own educational and life choices. As noted by Levin "It is rooted in the belief to uphold the individual freedom and the innate goodness of the child against institutional and social conformity and the corrupting influences of modern society."[8]

School types

The 1980s saw a shift to special schools and/or programs for those students that excelled in academia, were artistically talented, or through programs linking schooling with the workplace in a co-operative venture. It might be considered as a natural evolution of education to offer options and not a regimented one size fits all approach. Most alternative high schools falling under public jurisdiction offered independent study programs, basic-skills programs, and were mini-high schools with a mixture of conventional and nonconventional courses, and schools with an arts focus. They also offered smaller classes, closer and more informal relations with teachers, and greater flexibility in course selection and timetabling. The most recent development within alternative education in Canada may be to follow the United States in their "Charter School" movement. In the US specific states have passed legislation permitting their departments of education or local school boards to issue "charters" directly to individual schools wishing to operate autonomously. Alberta is the first province that has already embraced this model.[8]

India

Further information: Homeschooling and alternative education in India

Since the early 20th century, educators have discussed and implemented alternative forms of education, such as

Vedic science, yoga and ayurveda
. Others, after completing their education in a gurukula, enter mainstream higher education.

Japan

Japanese education is a nationwide, standardized system under the

tuition, with few scholarships available. Interest in alternative education was sparked during the 1980s by student violence and bullying, school refusal, social anxiety disorder and, in the worst cases, suicide
; the desire to enable young people to keep up with a globalized economy is an additional impetus.

A free school is a non-profit group (or independent school) which specializes in the care and education of children who refuse to attend standard schools. The first

democratic school
was founded in 1985 as a shelter for children avoiding the school environment, and a number of other such schools have been established. In 1987 the first of seven Waldorf schools in Japan was founded, and other alternatives include a growing homeschooling movement.

In 1992 Dr Shinichiro Hori, formerly Professor of Education at Osaka City University, founded the first, Kinokuni Children's Village in Wakayama Prefecture, of several alternative, democratic schools. In all he created six schools in Fukui prefecture, Kitakyushu, and Yamanashi prefecture. As friend and Japanese translator of

A.S. Neill his work has been inspired by Summerhill School.[9]

In 2003 Japan introduced Special Zones for Structural Reform (

Special Economic Zone
policy, which enable the opening of government-accredited schools providing alternative education. Two years later, the first such school was founded.

Despite the schools' high tuition, some parents send their children to

International Baccalaureate
program.

Philippines

Main article: Alternative Learning System (Philippines)

Taiwan

Founded after the lifting of martial law in Taiwan, the Forest School [zh] (森林小學) was the first alternative education school in Taiwan. It seeks to diverge from traditional Chinese education methodology and requires parents of their students to not hit or scold their children. The term 'forest school' has become a generalized term used by schools with alternative education approaches. There is also the case of the Caterpillar, which – like the Forest School – is housed in an unconventional campus and follows a creative and more fluid curriculum.[10] Both these schools charge expensive tuition fees but more personalized instruction.[10]

There is also alternative education that caters to learners with special needs such as the Taipei County's Seedling Elementary School, which opened in 1994.[11] This school caters to native students, who need a different and less stressful learning environment. It integrates traditional courses with strategies that focus on enhancing the learner's bond with nature and aboriginal culture.[11] Another example is the so-called "third-way" education that serves the needs of students that are not local but also not foreign such as the Taipei American School,[12] which provides instruction to Taiwanese students with family in the United States or those with occupations that took them, including their children, abroad.[10]

United Kingdom

In 2003, there were about 70 schools in the

democratic school; most have since closed, except for Summerhill, Sands School, Hebden Bridge School and democratic schools for children and young people. Though most alternative schools were until recently all fee-paying, state-funded Free Schools were introduced in 2011, only two of which alternative education: the Steiner Academy Frome, Somerset, and the Steiner Academy Hereford
.

The United Kingdom also has alternative provision schools and centres, designed to prevent exclusions from mainstream school, or improve behavioural problems so that students can re-access mainstream education. Since 1993, some of the centres have been referred to as Pupil Referral Units (PRU). These units are run by the local authority.

In recent years, in addition to Pupil Referral Units, many privately funded units (operated by businesses or charities) have set up versions of PRUs. These are known as private providers of alternative provision.

The influx of private businesses entering the sector has led to concerns being raised by Ofsted and the Department for Education in relation to so called illegal schools operating. Illegal schools refer to alternative provision centres providing students with a full time education without first registering properly as a school. Operating in this way means that providers avoid inspection by Ofsted.

United States

A variety of educational alternatives exist at the

K-12 private schools in each of the states, including any curriculum requirements. The report states that it is intended as a reference for public and nonpublic school officials and state policy-makers.[13] The report confirms that similar areas of education are approached in a variety of ways. Trade schools and vocational colleges are also an alternate route to four year traditional college programs.[14]

School choice

Main article: School choice

Public-school alternatives in the U.S. include separate schools, classes, programs and semi-autonomous "schools within schools". Public school-choice options are open to all students, although some have waiting lists. Among these are charter schools, combining private initiatives and state funding, and magnet schools, which attract students to a particular program (such as the performing arts).

Independent schools

Main article:
Independent school
See also: List of Sudbury schools

Independent, or private, schools have flexibility in staff selection and educational approach. Many are

Round Square
schools.

Homeschooling

Main article: Homeschooling

Families seeking alternatives for educational, philosophical or religious reasons, or if there is no nearby educational alternative may opt for home-based education. A minor branch is unschooling, an approach based on interest rather than a curriculum. Others enroll in umbrella schools which provide a curriculum. Homeschool courses give students in-depth, personal attention in any subject with which they struggle or excel. Some homeschool families form a cooperative, where parents with expertise in a subject may teach children from a number of families while their children are taught by other parents. There is great variation amongst families who homeschool, from parents who set up in-home "classrooms" and hold class for a set amount of time each day, to families that focus on experiential learning opportunities.[15]

Self-education

Main article: Autodidacticism

Self-directed inquiry is recognized at all levels of education, from the "unschooling" of children to the autodidacticism of adults, and may occur separately from (or with) traditional forms of education.[16]

See also

Forms and approaches of alternative education

Educators

Organizations

Media

Public law on education in the US

References

  1. ^ "alternative education". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 21 Sep. 2015.
  2. ^ Martin, Robin Ann (November 2000). "An Introduction to Educational Alternatives". Alternative Education Resource Organization. Paths of Learning. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  3. ^ Jean Jacques Rousseau Bertram, Christopher, "Jean Jacques Rousseau", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2012 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.)
  4. ^ J. Scott Armstrong (2012). "Natural Learning in Higher Education". Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning.
  5. ^ Ron Miller, Self-Organizing Revolution, Holistic Education Press, 2008
  6. ^ "Trille des Bois". Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  7. ^ "Types of Private Schools".
  8. ^ a b c Levin, Malcolm (February 2007). "Alternative Education". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  9. ^ Shinichiro Hori. "Kinokuni Children's Village". Liberation Education, 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  10. ^
    ISBN 978-0-7656-1494-0
    .
  11. ^
    ISBN 978-0-230-12014-3
    .
  12. ISBN 978-1-317-81448-1
    .
  13. ^ State Regulation of Private Schools, U.S. Department of Education, 2009 [1]
  14. ^ "Alternative Education Outside the Traditional 4-Year Path". AACAP. 2017-06-06. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  15. ^ "Advantages of homeschooling". 25 February 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  16. ^ Hayes, C. (1989), Self-University

Further reading

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_education&oldid=1183717531"