Favourite Myths: "Self-Directed Education has been conclusively shown not to work". I'm told this often, usually by male teachers. When I ask more questions or provide evidence to the contrary they stop responding or block me. So let's see if it's an evidence-based claim. 1/
Apart from places where teachers are bringing autonomy into the system - @derryhannam, or those @RoweGeraldine writes about in her book, or the approach @RethinkingJames & @Rethinking_Kate write about, what about full-on self-directed education? Is there evidence it works?2/
By this I mean places where children and young people retain responsibility for their education.They can choose what they learn. Adults are involved but not coercive.I don't mean neglect, being expected to learn on your own with no support, or minimal guidance.3/
Summerhill School @SHillChildFest. It's their centenary this year. Often cited to me as the example of how 'it doesn't work'. Still open and thriving, a hub of democratic education and innovation.This book documents things alumni have gone on to do. goodreads.com/book/show/1474… 4/
Sands School in Devon, @Seanfeb1962. Open since 1987. Here's a TEDx talk by Sean and some of the students. . It seems to be working for them. 5/
In Israel, the Hadera Schools are state funded and have up to 400 pupils. Yaacov Hecht wrote about the approach. goodreads.com/book/show/1137…. The Israeli government funds these schools - they clearly think it works. 6/
Unschoolers are doing this in home all over the UK and the world. Research into their outcomes show that the majority are happy with their education, and many go onto formal higher education. No evidence of widespread failure here. othereducation.org/index.php/OE/a… 7/
Sudbury Valley School @SudburyValley has been open since 1968. This research followed up the graduates self-directed.org/resource/gray-… and Peter Gray wrote about this school in his book. goodreads.com/book/show/1584…. A large majority of students go onto higher education. 8/
The Self-Managed Learning College @smlcbrighton has been running since @Ian1Cunningham started it in his home 25 years ago.They were oversubscribed this year. Ian writes about it in his book and talks about it on the @Rethinking_Ed podcast.I know this works, my kids are here 9/.
@circleschool in the United States, Jim Rietmulder has written a book about how it works. thttps://newsociety.ca/blogs/news/interview-with-jim-rietmulder-author-of-when-kids-rule-the-school. It sounds like it's working there. 10/
@WonderingSchool have visited schools where children and adults share decision making through sociocracy all over Europe and the world. They've made a documentary about it. wonderingschool.org. It's working in many places, ask them. 11/
De School in the Netherlands using sociocratic decision making with children from age 6. deschool.nl. "You cannot be smart against your will" they say on their website. They've written a book too. 12/
If none of this is evidence, then what does count as evidence? Real children learning without being forced, right now, in schools and homes across the world, demonstrated in research studies, books and documentaries. What would it take to change minds? 13/
More evidence? Please show us how non-coercive education is working for you, or add/tag any other places that you know about.@schristophy @thegardenbriz @SudburyEcole @alliance4sde @HouSdburySchool @Rethinking_Kate @AlpineValleySch 14/
Let's make it impossible for them to dismiss those who call for less coercion and more autonomy in education with 'it just doesn't work'. Let's shout about how it is working, because our children deserve it. 15/
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