Progressive Education National Network

[Debbie Way]

Great conversation about developmentally appropriate practices! Thank you everyone who has written such thoughtful responses. Many people at my school are looking at this conversation, and it is making us talk.

I have another perspective that I want to add. Public education is developed around the concept that it is successful and can meet every child's need, be it special education, regular education or gifted. IEP's, standards, test scores, behavior plans, school policies and more, all support this notion. On the other hand, there is this growing concern that U.S. children are falling bheind other children in other countries. So, individual schools market themselves as high achievers because of test scores and a variety of other measures that will convince local communities to be comfortable with their practices. Parents like to be told that they don't have to worry because who wants to worry about something they can't change?

Along comes progressive schools. The very nature of the school is to not make promises that you might not be able to keep. We want it to be personal. We want it to be experiential. We want it to be developmentally appropriate for each child. We aren't sure what the future is, yet we want to be authentic. Progressive education is about authentic experiences and natural progressions.

There's the real dilemma. Lots of parents are being promised results. Parents at progressive schools are being told to wait and see. Parents at progressive schools ask questions. Teachers at progressive schools get defensive.

Parents think they are getting better results where there is a better sales pitch. Parents at progressive schools lose faith and communication breaks down.

[Grace]

I have been looking for you all for five years! I am the director of a progressive school, and so many of the comments you have been making ring true for me! I remember actually saying to a parent once, very early on, "no school can truly guarantee ANYthing... we're just more honest about it." I don't think I would say that now, though it is still true in essence.
A related question is that of helping teachers develop a well-stocked toolbox to use... and a deep confidence in their work! Several times, I have hired a teacher who expressewd enthusiasm for the school, excitement about developing curriculum and projects and using a child-centered approach... only to the, a month or two later, in spite of what lots of onging conversation and planning amonmg the staff, I find the teacher stressed to the gills, copying dittos, asking me what I think about DIBELS, and basically falling back on what they learned in "education school" about standards and accountability.
As a school that very clearly shapes its environment to make progressive ed more accessible and do-able, it amazes me when it is the teachers who feel comelled to do things traditionally! -Grace

[gsherif]

Grace,

I've seen well-intentioned, yet frenzied teachers, also. I'd like to learn more about your school.
What is the grade range?
How many students?
What is student:teacher ratio?
Is there prep time and/or common planning time?
How do you determine what kinds of professional development is needed?
Are new teachers paired up with more experienced teachers?

Although I think the "best" progressive education requires that you start from a "good place," I also think there are administrative strategies that can support effective teching and learning.

[Sylvia]

To Grace---

I think I agree with what you said five years ago about no guarantees, but I also understand why you don't say that anymore. Some schools guarantee meeting all needs, and they make promises about it and offer test scores and standards to prove their point. I think this really puts progressive schools at a disadvantage because progressive educators want the experience to be authentic for every child, and they want to be honest about not really knowing what the future holds. I think that parents get the idea that sales pitches are authentic guarantees.

I also think that progressive educators can and should do a better job of communicating with parents the value of a progressive education. This seems hard for educators who want to work in the moment and respond to various needs in a variety of ways.