Something for these little ones...

I thought about this more when I was in school than I did about anything I was supposed to be learning. I remember wanting very badly to combat some of the hypocrasy and plain stupidity of education as an institution by starting a student-lead grassroots movement that demanded a real and exciting education. To my surprise and horror the majority of students that I talked to either saw nothing that needed to be fixed or did not care enought to try. These were the leaders of tomorrow! I was discouraged to the point of quitting. Although I never quit dreaming.

So, assuming that I have unlimited resources, and all of my teachers are just what they ought to be this is what it would look like logistically. With a maximum class size of 30, and 3-4 classes per "grade" there would be a maximum of 1440 students with 48 full-time student advocates (or teachers, whatever you would like to call them) for each school (because, of course, my idea is so wonderful that it would be widely adopted everywhere). Each class would consist of children ranging in ages up to three years apart. A teacher would learn, love, and grow with one class throughout the whole of their 13 year education to give the teacher ample time to get to know and advocate for each and every one of their students.

Every single student would have an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) that would be created and executed with the input of the student advocate, the parents, and the student equally. Because of the great deal of diversity, and the closeness of quarters of all the students in one class it may be found that students learn very well without being 'taught' out of daily discussions and debates participated in by all. Very regular field trips will be suggested by and planned and executed with the participation of the students (as they can plan freely, knowing that they will all still be together year after year). There will be an air of responsibility and accountability for each student.. If a student wants to go to and get prepared for college it will be integrated into their IEP, which will be revamped once a year, and reviewed every six months to make sure that it continues to serve the best interests of the student.

Student Advocates will be paid in such a way that will make it possible for them to live comfortably without having to look for other sources of income so as to make it possible for them to give all of their energies and excitement to the development and love of each student. Students will treat each other with love and respect, not because they are taught that it should be so, but because they will be taught from an early age the real value of their counterparts, and naturally will respect others as a result of knowing how important and deserving they all are.

The day to day experience of each student will comprehend a feeling of coming home upon entering the classroom, and will include daily independent study, class discussions, guest speakers from the community, and a time set aside specifically for them to learn from and support each other in their studies. Teachers will serve more as guides and advocates than proffessors and diciplinaries.

All of this will result in a generation that is well prepared for both work, and life outside of work. A generation with a conciousness that is bigger than themselves, and a mind to make the world better than it was when they got here.

It seems I have gotten a bit carried away. I just get so excited about a system of education that ceases to stiffle those that it purports to be teaching, and fosters love and knowledge in a way that can only improve the world as a whole.