Dennis Littky's Big Picture school model: article/documentary

[xcriteria]

I've mentioned this before in various threads, but lisafromjackson pointed me to a short documentary series about it.

Here's Lisa Nielsen's article about the Big Picture model:

A Simple Ed Reform Solution - Connect School Life to Real Life

And here's the YT playlist with the 5 episodes about the MET, one of the Big Picture schools. They're basically set up in "advisories" instead of typical classes, where 15 or so students work with one advisor, and then they pursue learning about topics they're interested in, including by working with mentors. Then they present what they've done. There are no grades, grid-schedule classes, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL...6B937CBC61

I'm thinking about how the model there, and other school models like Sudbury, Independent Project, and so on, might be adapted to actual options for those who come to School Survival, and who are stuck in school-as-usual. These other models have been around for a long time, but they're basically equivalent to myths in the miserable lives of those stuck in grade-obsessed, grid-scheduled, parents nagging kinds of school situations.

I think one step to changing things is if all of us learn more about the other models of school that are out there, and the movements to abolish grades, and the many people promoting interest-based learning... and start talking to everyone about why the gap between school-as-misery and other ways to do things.

Thoughts?

[Cianna200]

This seems better than an ordinary school but I find it still some what undesirable as it just seems like a more advanced form of school. I do however like the idea of them trying to get rid of boredom and to think about what we like.
But still we have to get up early and get stuck in a building with much of the things still seeming scholar.

[lisafromjackson]

Cianna200, the structure of BPL is entirely on a different model from any traditional school...you show up, you meet with your advisor and the other kids in your advisory, maybe you have a meeting, and maybe during the course of the day you see presentations from other kids or attend a special seminar. Other than that, you work on your own project, which is of your own choosing, and consult with your advisor or maybe another adult or student for help.

On Internship days, you don't go to school at all but attend an internship of your choosing, related to your interests. You have a mentor on your internship site who works with you.

Once a quarter, you give a one-hour presentation of your work.

Even as I type this I think about how badly I want this system for the kids here! I tried, a couple years ago, and got roundly defeated.

[Cianna200]

Okay thanks for explaining it more, and I'm sorry that it did not work out for you. :(

[James Comey]

Right. It's one thing to say "school sucks for these reasons", but no one will believe us if we don't show there ARE other ways of doing things.

It's probably important in the future to showcase other options exist, and that they DO work. Even if it's impractical to implement these models universally, nonetheless it will at least get some kind of debate going among the mainstream education community.