Nontraditional Schools and Open Curricula: A DiscussionThis article discusses one common type of nontraditional schooling that lets children choose for themselves what to study, enabling them to discover their own talents and passions. Although this system makes sense for young children, older students are at an unfair disadvantage if they are not taught certain important subjects.

There are innumerable types of alternative education systems in the world, and they vary radically. These alternative systems, including Montessori and Waldorf, usually take an

approach to early childhood education that incorporates a theme, idea, or theory that is incompatible with traditional schooling. Although alternative education typically begins in or before elementary school, some systems extend through the high school years, and some children might, as they grow older, opt to switch from traditional to nontraditional schooling in their middle or high school years.

What is Traditional Schooling?

Of course, the degree to which there is such a thing as "traditional schooling" might be called into question. To a certain extent, curricula in public schools are determined at the national and local levels. This means that the content of education is traditionalized. Within these predetermined curricula, teaching styles can vary greatly, so the quality and type of education received depends on the particular school a student attends. Nevertheless, the general principles

behind public education remain largely the same. Nontraditional schooling breaks with these general principles in one or more important ways.

One Type of Alternative School

Although there are differences between types of nontraditional schooling, one common departure from the norm is in the curriculum itself. In early childhood education, some theorists believe that children should not be subjected to set curricula. Instead, they claim, young children should be as free as possible to engage in whatever type of play or educational activity appeals to their individual personalities. Thus, nontraditional preschools and elementary schools may have a very loose structure, allowing children to do essentially whatever they want, as long as they are engaging their minds and imaginations in some way. In such schools, kinesthetic learning, or learning by physically interacting with objects in the world, is often

highly valued, so physical activity and playtime is an integral part of such systems.

Nontraditional Middle and High Schools

Nontraditional schooling at the middle and high school levels often takes a slightly more structured approach, but in many schools the principle of freedom of choice in learning remains the same. Some alternative schools offer courses on topics that are too specialized to be offered in traditional public schools, and allow students to choose from a wide array of classes according to their individual interests, instead of requiring a core of subjects as normal schools typically do. Other, more experimental schools may allow students to choose the curriculum themselves, engaging in discussions with one another until they land upon topics that suit their interests. Some schools even devote the bulk of learning to a single activity or subject, such as theater. Students usually choose these schools themselves after having

discovered a love for the subject and having decided to pursue it full-time.

Educational Freedom for Elementary Students

The nontraditional school options that allow students to choose what they learn are many, and such schools may appeal to adolescents who are disenchanted with the school system. The question that arises with regard to these schools, however, is whether free choice curriculum is a good approach to education. At the early childhood and elementary stage, this type of freedom seems to make good sense. Whereas traditional elementary schools strive to impart students with skills and knowledge that they will need later on, most children at this young age are unlikely to remember the information they are taught, particularly if they have no stake in the information themselves.

Reading and Writing

It is important to note that there are certain skills children should learn at an early age, such as reading and writing. However, the structured, one-size-fits-all way that these skills are taught in traditional schools could use improvement. In nontraditional schools, students might be able to learn reading and writing while engaging in any topic that interests them, instead of in topics that have been chosen for them and that, therefore, hold little interest. The result would be much the same: students would learn to read and write, becoming ready for the next stage of schooling. The process, however, is different. While acquiring basic skills, students would have a chance to discover talents individual to them, interests that they didn’t know they had, and to investigate subjects important to them, providing them with a better chance of remembering the information learned.

What Must We Know?

The case becomes more complex with regard

to middle and high school-aged children. Although it would be nice to allow each student to pursue his or her own individual talents and interests, there are certain things that, undeniably, children should learn in order to be successful. Students who have not yet decided whether to pursue college educations should be given a chance to develop the necessary academic background so they are not at a disadvantage when application time comes. Additionally, basic math skills and knowledge of history are crucial to succeeding in the adult world. Students who chose not to pursue those subjects could suffer for it unduly. Thus, free choice in education and alternative schooling that adopts this principle make sense for young children, and could even mean an improvement on traditional schooling. As students get older, however, it is important that they learn certain things, and radical alternative school methods may have a detrimental effect.Read more at Buzzle:

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/nontraditional-schools-and-open-curricula-a-discussion.html

The Debate over Lengthening Time in SchoolAs educators search for ways to comply with government programs like "No Child Left Behind," a national debate over adding time to the school year is taking place.

By Mark Hoerrner

Twenty billion dollars.

That's the estimated price tag listed by the Education Commission for the States for lengthening the current public school year from 180 to 200 days. The extension will still be less than other countries. England's school year runs 220 days. Japanese students spend 243 days in the classroom and German

schools are open for 240 days.

Viewing that most school districts are scrambling for funding and politicians are seeking ways to lower property taxes, the likelihood of schools getting the money necessary to make such an extension is unlikely. That hasn't stopped groups advocating the annual change, or other extra-time alterations to the school day, from carrying forward the idea of an altered school schedule.

According to the Gannett News Service, schools in a number of states have already altered the school year in some way. A pilot program in Massachusetts is being tested at 10 schools this year where the students are spending longer days in front of the teacher. Minnesota is debating adding five weeks to the school calendar, and other schools across the nation have added time to students' class periods.

In a story by the Boston Globe, 20 Massachusetts districts have applied for grants to extend the school day citing concerns that the current schedule does not give teachers enough time to tackle all the subjects necessary to both comply with state and federal demands and still have time for liberal arts studies such as arts, music and physical education.

"Right now, as we think about our school," Mary Russo, principal of Boston's Murphy K-8 School, told the Globe. "We think about it as not having enough time within the confines of the 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. day to teach everything that needs to be taught, everything we'd want kids to have. The hours in the school day just aren't enough for us."

One of the kinks in modern American education is the controversial "No Child Left Behind" program that seeks to develop accountability for the nation's schools. Accountability that most say is unlikely to

happen under the current time structure.

"There is no way we're going to meet that goal unless we do some radical things like adding time," said Jennifer Davis, president of Massachusetts 2020, a non-profit group intent on longer hours in school. "This is a very deep societal change we're talking about, even though it makes a heck a of a lot of sense. It's not easy and it's not simple."

Beyond the compliance issue, there's a more global competitiveness concern. At the high school level, German teens are required to log more than 3,500 hours of instruction on the core curriculum compared to about 1,500 hours for American students. This brings into relief the question of whether or not America can continue to turn out a significant technological workforce.

The current school schedule is one derived from America's years as a primarily agrarian nation, experts say, and with the reformation

to an industrialized nation should have come a revolution in education.

As the national debate continues, one thing is clear - school districts want to be successful, regardless of how additional time is implemented. But what must come, either from state or federal sources, is the backing to ensure that any such program has a chance of increasing a child's access to education.

"The devil is in the details, because in order to extend the day by 30 percent, you're talking about a significant commitment of resources," said Catherine A. Boudreau, president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, in the Globe. "You can't ask school districts to do this and then not make a commitment that there is going to be the resources to follow."

By Buzzle StaffRead more at Buzzle:

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Boarding High SchoolsBoarding high schools are residential schools that provide well-rounded education to the students that get admitted into them, thus preparing them to be successful in the future, both in college as well as life.

Boarding high schools are generally fee-charging educational institutions where some or all the students study as well as reside in during the term, usually along with their

teachers. Hence, the term 'boarding school' refers to providing lodging and food, along with educational facilities.

A Brief History of Boarding Schools

When the British Empire spread during the colonial expansion, it gave rise to the classic British boarding school. The British colonial administrators who had to live abroad could therefore make sure that their children got the British upbringing that they wanted for them at the public schools back in the UK. This education became popular with the local rulers too, who sent their sons to these British boarding schools. Then, British-run boarding schools began to come up locally too where junior expatriates sent their children to. These boarding schools even began admitting selected children of the local populace who lived at considerable distances. These boarding schools inculcated their own cultural norms and values, thus becoming an effective method of de-culturizing the native

populations from their own culture, in order to develop them into people who inculcated British ways and systems in order to help the British accomplish their imperial goals.

Reasons for Opting for Boarding Schools

Apart from cultural aspects, some of the other reasons parents sent their children to boarding high schools was that they could develop a wider perspective, and also give them better opportunities than they could provide. Boarding high schools can determine the culture of families for several generations, plus, by sending their children to a classy boarding school, parents have aspirations for better future prospects for their children since they are able to mix with children belonging to wealthy and upper classes on equal terms.

In the past, it used to be mostly boys who were sent to boarding schools. However, these days many girls are being sent to both boarding schools as well as private schools.

The reasons for getting admitted into these schools have changed too, being more focused on the academic and other requirements of the students.

Typical Characteristics

Boarding high schools are preparatory schools for college, and are known for their high academic standards, small sizes of classes, individualized attention students get from their teachers as well as advisors, and wide choices in the curricula.

Boarding schools generally have a number of residential houses either within the school's premises or close to the facilities of the school like sports facilities, dining rooms, and classrooms. Housemistresses and housemasters appointed in these residential houses assume a parental supervisory role, being responsible for the students in their house, especially outside school hours. They may be helped with the domestic

management by a housekeeper, as well as other teaching faculty who supervise the students in the evenings.

The boarding facilities can vary at various schools. While some schools provide a common dining room where all the students have their meals, others may provide separate eating facilities for each residential house. The living accommodations in the houses can also differ from house to house and school to school. While in some, there may be individual bathrooms for every room, others may have common bathrooms. Most boarding high school residential houses provide a common room where students can play games, read, and watch TV.

Apart from the usual facilities for academics like laboratories and classrooms, boarding high schools usually also provide various other facilities so that students can take part in extra-curricular activities like swimming pools, theaters, cinemas, squash courts,

boating facilities, music rooms, and so on. Some schools also provide religious molding to the students and hence have a school chapel on the campus.

During regular holidays and the half-term break the students usually go home Special leave may also be granted during the weekends, allowing students to go somewhere or home. Boarding school students usually opt for a school that is within easy traveling distance from their homes so that they can visit their families often.

Many boarding schools also admit day-boarders, who attend school during the day along with the boarders and then go home after school. Even though they may live off-campus, they have their meals with the boarders at school.

Various Types Of Boarding Schools

While boarding schools are a type of

residential school, not all of them are the classic kind. Some of the other types of boarding schools are:Therapeutic schools wherein students that have disabilities like obsessive compulsive disorder, Asperger's syndrome, severe anxiety disorder, and/or those with socialization problems and substance abuse problems are provided clinical inpatient services in these schools. Boarding schools for students that require special educational needs, with or without disability.Specialist boarding schools like stage schools or choir schools.Universities and colleges with residential halls.The kibbutzim of Israel, where the children are educated and live in a commune, but can also have daily contact with their parents during particular hours.Private boarding high schools are those that are not dependent upon funds from the government and are run by private funds and

trusts. They usually have their own admission processes, regulations, and curriculum. This type of boarding school has always been popular with the elite and affluent.Benefits Of Boarding Schools

According to research, students who attend boarding high schools display higher rates in achievement both socially and academically. The good quality boarding high schools become extended families wherein students and teachers learn and live together. This 24-hour boarding school environment enables the teaching staff to utilize every moment, whether in the playing field, dormitory, or classroom, to teach the students. Students get an all-round education in a stable, caring, and safe environment. This enables the students develop abilities that will ensure future success, both in college as well as life.

By Rita PutatundaRead more at Buzzle:

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Pros and Cons of Single Sex SchoolsEducationists and parents have diverse personal views when it comes to single sex schooling. This Buzzle article tries to list out the pros and cons of single gender schools to help you derive your own personal opinion about this education system.

I am sure that this article has been viewed by several young parents who are in the process

of searching the best schools for their first child. Choosing an appropriate school might be a dilemma for some of you, but trust me, this problem is quite common all around the world. Parents generally choose co-ed schools or single gender schools based on the nature of their own schooling or their social upbringing. If you are looking for the pros and cons of single gender schools, then you have landed on just the perfect article.

Pros of Single Sex SchoolsAs a general observation, girls are seen to excel better in languages, arts and social sciences, while boys are more inclined towards mathematics and sciences. With a few exceptions, this observation is valid in majority of cases. This inclination to excellence in a particular field is on account of differences in brain development, ways of mental processing and responses to senses between the two sexes. Single gender schools can help children of a particular gender to excel in their key strong points.

It is observed that girl students from gender specific schools excel better in sports activities while boys excel in arts and dramatics if they learn in an environment without fear of ridicule from the opposite gender.Single gender schools generally appoint teaching faculty of the same gender as that of students, viz. Girls schools usually have female teaching staff while boys schools usually have male teaching staff. This helps to enhance comfort level and increase interaction between students and teaching staff.Single gender schools may help young students to look out for careers beyond the gender specific stereotypical professions. With exposure to different career options in a single gender education environment, students can freely choose their dream profession without any genetic bias.There are certain soft skills and leadership skills that are generally associated with female students only. However, such skills

can be equally developed by students of both genders in a single gender education system.One really important advantage of single gender schools is that it allows the desired level of privacy and confidentiality that students crave for around the puberty stage of their lives.It is easier for students to cope with pressures of studies, if classes are tailor-made to suit their gender.Cons of Single Sex SchoolsDrawing from the principles general child psychology, there is a general attraction between children of opposite sexes once they are at the onset of puberty. For girls, puberty generally starts by age 10 and ends by 17 while for boys, it starts by age 12 and ends by 18. Studies show that children enrolled in single gender schools, either tend to become more aggressive towards the opposite sex as adults or tend to be ignorant about the opposite gender, and are said to be poor social performers. These are the two extreme effects of single sex schooling but can be

dealt if parents and teachers give due attention to the problem.Single gender schools negate the chances of flow of ideas and studying technique between both the genders. During higher education, students from single gender schools find it difficult to study in work groups designed to comprise both the genders. This is not on account of shyness but personal discomfort for free interaction with the opposite gender. In a way, single gender schools do not help the students to prepare for real life.Such schools do not allow healthy academic competition between both the genders. Students may feel stressed with sudden academic competition from the opposite gender once they graduate from schools for higher education.Single gender schools are capable of creating a gender disparity in minds of students from a young age.As parents, you will need to understand your own preferences after you go through both the sides of this dilemma. I know, it will not be

an easy choice as we tend to doubt our own decisions sometimes. If you do happen to enroll your child in single sex schools then all you need to do is ensure that you help your child in bridging the gap to help achieve what is lacking in his/her education system.Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-single-sex-schools.html

Effects of Boarding School on ChildrenAre you contemplating the thought of sending your child to a boarding school? Learn more about how these places can be disciplinary centers for kids, and how in some cases it may not be as effective as you think.

Boarding schools are schools where pupils not only study, but also live with their fellow students and teachers during term time. The word 'boarding' refers to the fact that these

schools provide food and lodging facilities, where students also attend classes and engage in outdoor activities arranged by the boarding school.

How does Boarding School Affect Children?

Some parents think it is simply impossible to allow the child to stay away from home from an early age, while there are others who believe that boarding schools instill a sense of responsibility and discipline in children, which is a great benefit for their overall development. Thus, there are positive as well as negative effects of boarding school on children.

Positive Effects

Boarding schools are known to imbibe the children with a sense of discipline with regards to habits like sleeping on time, waking up early, exercising and other hygiene related habits. They also help in the

development of children's communication skills or social skills. Children who study in such schools are constantly in an atmosphere that is conducive for learning as well as recreation. Children who go to boarding schools often become street smart and acquire the ability to sustain themselves in the competitive world.

Negative Effects

Boarding schools can make children detached from their family, if the child is bitter about being sent to one in the first place. Sometimes children at boarding schools can misuse the freedom and indulge in harmful addictions like smoking, drinking or even drugs. If the child experiences severely unpleasant instances of ragging or bullying, it might break his/her self-confidence and can have a very disturbing effect on his overall development.

By Uttara Manohar

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