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A passionate deconstruction and reconstruction of learning, development, and schooling that urges teachers to explore and create new educational opportunities for themselves and their students, Schools for Growth: Radical Alternatives to Current Educational Models asks the following questions:
Can we create ways for people to learn the kinds of things that are necessary for functional adaptation without stifling their capacity to continuously create their growth?
Can schools become environments that support children to perform not only as learners but as developers of their lives?

This book challenges educators to look at the deeply-rooted assumptions about schooling, learning, and development and urges that the way psychology and education have constructed our conceptions of what it means to teach, to learn, and to grow may be the most serious impediment to the learning and developing of children. Beyond the criticism, the author presents an original methodological reformation of what learning and development are as relational activities and then takes readers on a visit to three radical independent school settings.

Arguing that current educational models have been misguided by scientific psychology, the author states that the dominant model of human development actually hinders development. Moreover, as learning theory has become infused with developmental theory over the past 30 years, the overly cognitive manner in which psychologists have come to think about thinking, learning, and development has become further insinuated into education. Both theories--learning and developmental--fail o recognize the human capacity for relational-revolutionary activity and for performance. The prevalent mode of education--acquisitional learning--is grounded in a world view that gives primacy to knowledge and knowing which Holzman believes is inconsistent with ongoing developmental activity.

The author focuses on "developmental learning"--a social constructionist, activity-theoretic conception of development which includes a transformation and synthesis of Vygotsky and philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. She also discusses educational projects that are self-conscious attempts to break with key elements of modern epistemology and the dominant psychological paradigm as they are perpetrated in contemporary educational theory and practice. Their specific philosophies and practices highlight important methodological issues raised in the attempt to create "postmodern schools"--schools more concerned with growing than knowing.
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Now in its second edition, this award-winning directory is the first comprehensive guide to schools for alternative and complementary medicine located throughout the U.S. and Canada. Organized by state (or province), each of the directory's more than 800 entries includes the school's area of specialty, key contacts, staff size, wheelchair accessibility, enrollment, programs of study, accreditation, and degrees offered. Admission requirements, application deadlines, financial aid programs, and tuition fees are also listed. All previous entries have been updated, and over 100 new entries have been added. ... Read more

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Second edition of the book that showed how anger was directly linked to violence, health problems, and interpersonal difficulty. It is imperative that we teach children to control their anger. Using the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) model, Wilde shows how teachers and counselors can encourage students to acknowledge and change feelings that are causing problems in their lives. Helping students learn not to become angry will directly or indirectly benefit all those who are involved in the education of our children. ... Read more

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What are the best ways to set up and evaluate good alternative schools? It's a difficult question, especially in a day when there are as many alternative schools as there are communities to support them. This book addresses the question from several different angles. From emphasizing the importance of open channels of communication with parents to establishing dialogues with leaders from various relevant sectors, Mottaz outlines the start-up of a successful alternative school, showing how an alternative school can command not only legitimacy, but also respect, in any community. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A must for alternative education
Excellent "how to" book for anyone working in high school alternative education programs. This is a book that those of us who have been in "the trenches" would certainly have benefitted from early on in our careers.Highly recommend this book for those new to the profession, as well as for those who are more experienced and wish to validate their successes.
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By exploring the work of the Frankfurt school today, thisbook helps to define the very field of cultural studies. ... Read more

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George Washington was schooled at home; so was Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Thomas Jefferson, and many other leaders. Today more than one million Americans have turned to homeschooling. "Home Schools provides valuable encouragement for those parents who want to assume the responsibility for their children's education."--Home Education Magazine. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Coherent summary of reasons to home school.
The author presents a very readable and, I might add, persuasive case for homeschooling as a viable option for children's education.In answer to one of the other reviewer's critique about dated research, I think thathomeschooling is still "new" enough that research is probablysomewhat limited due to the relativley few numbers of subjects available.

A zealot's work in persuasive writing
Sadly, many of the author's statements were rather generalized or contained emotional overtones. I don't need convincing that home schooling is viable, I need facts (i.e., pros and cons, what a parent must deal with day-to-day, short- and long-term considerations, etc.). Then, my spouse and I can judge whether home schooling is appropriate in our family. Finally, many of the statistics the author used were very dated. 1980?!? Come on, Ms. Gorder! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent overview!
This book gives an excellent background into alternative education.Well written. ... Read more