A Different Look at Schooling

What would school look like without its normative pieces? Do we really need books? What about desks? And, while we are on the subject, what about teachers? Are all these things really  necessary?

I am sure your first response is to gasp and immediately answer in the affirmative. Why, of course, all of these things are necessary; they are what make a school a school, right? Well, it depends.

It all depends on what your view of school is. If your view of school is strictly academic pragmatism, in other words, school is for securing the best grades and the best college preparation in order to prepare for college then, maybe, those normative pieces aren't as important as you might think. If it is test scores that you are after and AP classes and scholarship money then there is a case to be made that all of these pieces of education that we naturally and by default associate with schools aren't as important as we all thought.

Click HERE to read about an experimental school that has none of those "bothersome" pieces. It is a school with one room, no teachers and no rules. Every student has a desk and a computer. They each work at their own pace and do quite well at it, at least according to test scores. The school is the New Country School in Minnesota, and the only class that is taught in the school is math. Adults are viewed as guides and are there only to assist if needed.

While I will acknowledge the school's academic success I also must ask some serious questions. The school is certainly set up for one type of student; how well will other students do in its setting? Those who are self motivated I am sure do very well in this setting, but one has to ask this question: could these students soar even higher with a teacher or two? This school is making some serious statements about education. It is presenting a view of education that is very different than the one we all know and love. I am not ready to embrace or reject this school's pedagogical methodology, but I do believe it is worthy of observation.

If school is only about academics then this is something to consider, but what about morality and responsibility? What about service and unity? How will these students assimilate into greater society? How will they learn to serve, to be responsible and to consider others before themselves? Are not these things also part of a quality education? 

Read the article, but before you jump to judge one way or the other... picture yourself in the setting. How would you do? Would it be freeing or would you miss the structure and instruction? I am not sure most students are ready for the freedom it proposes, but I am willing to be convinced otherwise. Enjoy the article! I hope it forces you to think outside of the box about education. Anytime that happens it is always a good thing. Blessings!