A History of Alternative Education

I recently came upon this great article at the Alternative Education Resource Organization. It gives a fantastic explanation of the coming about of alternative education, beginning with a brief explanation of the arising of public schools.

The article begins by pointing out how public schools first came into existence “to provide a common, culturally unifying educational experience for all children.” I found this so interesting to read because I think those of us who have made alternative choices for our children’s education have sometimes struggled with feelings of isolation, separation and feeling apart from the rest of the world.

My own sister, who has made different, though still alternative, educational choices for her children, recently called me with this exact concern. She found herself in the difficult position of having her sons’ alternative school start a week later than the local public school. All of her neighbors’ children were talking excitedly about their teachers, sharing their school supplies, and getting ready for that morning ride on the school bus.

She and her children felt left out and without that new excitement of their own. She called me wanting to process and reassure herself that she had made the right choice. Once school started, of course, her concerns were put at ease and her boys love their school.

She and so many others who choose alternative education, can see that an educational system that puts creating a common social experience at the forefront may not be the best choice for our individual children. Perhaps our children don’t fit into the culturally established definition of the norm. Maybe we want our children’s individuality to be recognized.

Can an educational system that looks to create a common social experience really encourage children to think for themselves? Aren’t those two values at odds with each other?

There are so many reasons many of us have chosen alternative methods of education and it is particularly satisfying when an article comes along that does such a good job of summarizing the benefits of alternative education.