No Grades, No Tests At 'Free School'

(AP)  One recent day at the Brooklyn Free School, the "schedule" included the following: chess, debate, filming horror movies, and making caves for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Not that the students had to go to any of these sessions. At this school, students don't get grades, don't have homework, don't take tests, don't even have to go to class. Unless they want to.

"You can do basically anything at any time, and it's just a lot more fun because sometimes when you need a break at regular schools you can't get it," said Sophia Bennett Holmes, 12, an aspiring singer-actress-fashion designer. "But here if you just need to sit down and read and have time to play, then you can do that."

"Free schools," which had their heyday decades ago, operate on the belief that children are naturally curious and learn best when they want to, not when forced to. Today, the approach is getting another look from some parents and students tired of standardized testing, excessive homework, and overly rigid curriculums in regular schools.

"Every kid here is definitely motivated to learn something, there's no doubt in my mind," said Alan Berger, a former public school assistant principal who founded the Brooklyn school, which launched in fall 2004. "Our belief is that if we let them pursue their passions and desires, they'll be able to get into it deeper. They'll be able to learn more how to learn."

Hundreds of free schools opened in the U.S. and elsewhere in the 1960s and 1970s. Most shut down, but some, such as the Albany Free School and Sudbury Valley School in Massachusetts, have persisted. Overall, it's unknown how many free schools operate today.

The ones still in operation often use a "democratic" model, giving students a say in running the institution.

At the Brooklyn Free School, much of that decision-making occurs in a mandatory (yes, as in required) weekly gathering called the Democratic Meeting. Here, students air grievances, pose challenges, propose rules and set policy. Even the youngest kids have a vote equal to staffers. One agreed-upon rule? No sword-fighting allowed inside.

The school — granted a provisional charter in 2004 by the state to run as a private educational institution — occupies two floors of a Free Methodist church.

Students are required to show up for a minimum of 5 1/2 hours a day, partly so that the school can meet legal definitions, but what they do with their time is up to them. The student population — 42 students, ages 5 to 17 — is diverse racially, economically and in terms of ability, and the students are not separated by age.

On any given day, a student may be playing chess, reading a book, practicing yoga or helping mummify a chicken. The day after the Nov. 7 U.S. congressional elections, one group listened to President George W. Bush's press conference on a radio, while the sound of the younger students' feet rattled the ceiling.

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[bseece]

This sounds like a cool alternative to traditionl schooling but I would like to hear from those that have gone on to college. Are they doing well or are they having a tough time since they did not have traditional teaching and testing.

[bellal-2009]

Don't be so quick to judge this education model. You might be surprised at what you will find. I have spent several years working at a school like this and I was very impressed with the students. One particular memory was on the one year anniversary of 9/11. I had just come from a large suburban high school where they had observed a moment of silence which was anything but. Basically the students completely ignored the observation with loud indifference. I arrived at the alternative school just as they were doing teh same observation. Kids were hanging out, playing hacky sack, jamming with musical instraments, studying, playing chess and various other activities. When they announced a moment of silence all the kids stopped immediately and lowered their heads in deep thought. The diffrence was stunning. After a few minutes they slowly returned to their activities a bit quieter.
I could tell many amazing stories about the kids at the free school based on the Sudbury Valley School.

[twoell76]

A kid would have to be a "self-starter," since he isn't required to start anything. Granted, public schools are a mess, but for $10k/yr there are excellent traditional private schools out there that just might turn your little darling into someone useful. Part of the learning process is about learning a work ethic - God forbid an employer to require you to do something you "don't want to do."

[hfreeman17]

This school is typical of our society, which has been trending hedonistic and away from the principle of hard work. Children need to learn that work itself can be fun. And adults need to take leadership to decide what children learn and when they learn.

[channel88]

We sent our children to a school like this and really liked it. It's a great experience especially for those that are self starters.