At this new school all children will have an IEP! What is an IEP? It is an Individual Education Plan (IEP). An Individualized Education Program/Plan (IEP) is a written education plan designed to meet a child's learning needs. In most schools only special education students get an IEP; at some private schools there are no IEPs for any students. All students are unique and should receive an individual education, right? At this new school, that is just the case. Each child gets evaluated for learning styles, attention span, interests (subject and extracurricular), language arts & reading levels, math level, and art/music interests. Often this process takes several weeks to a semester to complete fully and sometimes these results will change the topics or depth to which a subject is taught.
The school offers curricula tailored to meet the individual child's learning style and interests. This curricula can cost hundreds of dollars or may cost nothing. The cost is dependent upon the teacher and student and what is affordable. There are no publisher contracts for five or ten years permitted at this school! This new school may change publishers each year or even within the school year to accommodate the needs of the individual student.
Should the children be at desks all day? The new school says "no", and kids will get plenty of time for physical activities like recess, formal PE classes, and park days. The teachers make sure to include time to stretch, take breaks, and allow for down time when difficult material is taught. There are also classic movies shown that correlate to the topics studied in history, literature or science class. These movies are not fluff or twaddle; they are carefully selected and planned.
This school gives each child time to develop his or her talents and gifts. For example, if a child has a propensity toward singing, there is special time set aside each week for the purpose of developing voice. Often a special voice-coach is sought to work one-on-one with the child.
The new school schedule is accommodated to the individual child and teacher as well. School hours are from early in the morning to late at night with evening classes offered when it benefits a particular child. Night classes can include literature readings where families are invited to meet in a particular room to hear a chapter book being read. These nightly readings often include classic books or historical novels that teach history along with literature.
This new school is not opposed to Christianity being taught; in fact, it is the basis for the decisions to open the school in the first place. People had been praying for a school to open that would incorporate the Bible, 10 commandments, the Golden Rule, and lessons from the Old and New Testament. These lessons would be taught each day. Not only will a Bible "story" would be presented, but also a definite lesson on how the Bible lesson can transform the student's mind.
There is prayer at this new school as well. Often prayers take place for government leaders, our nation, and local government bodies. The prayers make sense because this new school that will open is going to be actively engaged in government affairs, bills, senators, legislators, governor's, elections, and much more. The teacher schedules field trips to the capitol, senate, and house chambers as well as individual senator and legislator offices. Teachers have been known for attending government committee meetings. This school promotes voting and wisdom, reasons, and consequences in selecting candidates based upon excellent character and high morals.
This new school utilizes a hands-on approach to learning whenever possible. The classroom is often unseen because there are a lot of field trip days, enrichment activities, and practical life skills being included into the school time.
Multifaceted learning is the norm at the new school. A lesson is followed with a video, discussion, and further investigations. Often multiple websites are sought for gaining real knowledge; real knowledge of a subject and wisdom is sought above good grades, test scores, or daily work. There are minimal grades at this school, rather the teachers verbally ask questions, discuss topics, and have the students teach others in order to verify that learning has taken place.
Handwriting / Cursive is still taught at this school. Spelling is still taught, not by weekly tests, but by the child's own writing assignments or vocabulary for science / history class. Spelling is integrated into the other classes with a lot of students.
Connections between subjects are made. A student is taught chronologically with literature taught at the same time period and science inventions of the time period are often introduced.
Everyone can agree that low teacher to student ratio is a good thing. This new school offers a very low student teacher ratio - often less than 1:10. That low ratio ensures that students are not left behind, they excel in their lessons, and there is plenty of customization for the students.
There is no teacher union* allowed at this school as the teachers do not fight for increased in salary, forced schedule breaks or 180 day contracts, merit pay, or termination protection! The teachers get paid plenty**, have several personal days for doctor visits, bereavement events, etc.
This is what a home-school looks like. A home school is dedicated to making sure the student is number one! Homeschools tailor education to meet the learning style and other needs of the student. This particular home school is at my house. A similar school can open at your house too! What would a school look like if you could design it? Leave comments!
*Referenced above: "Unions are Bad"
Among critics of unionism in education, perhaps the most vocal figure is Terry Moe, who argues that unions’ interests are poorly aligned with those of students and taxpayers. In California, the most potent voice is probably that of Mike Antonucci.
At the local level, critics such as Moe argue that negotiations between districts and unions are structurally out of balance because the union’s power to call a strike is unmatched by any equivalent power from the district side. Districts cannot lawfully dismiss the striking teachers and hire replacements. Critics also note that unions make unapologetic use of the democratic process to influence the other side of the bargaining table by using their resources to support or oppose candidates for school boards. (This is sometimes called “capturing” the school board.)
At the state level, critics object to teacher unions’ capacity to raise funds for political action. A typical full-time teacher in a CTA-affiliated district pays close to $1,000 in union dues annually. Of this amount, about 15% goes to the NEA, about 20% goes to the local affiliate, and the remainder goes to the CTA state organization. An important (but undisclosed) fraction of these resources support the unions’ political efforts. Districts, by contrast, may not use funds for political action.
**But lay up for yourselves treasures inheaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Matthew 6:20
**But lay up for yourselves treasures inheaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Matthew 6:20
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