Alternative Education Jacqui Beets & Debra Wood Introduction o This infomercial accompanies the document – Alternative Education in New Zealand o We.
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Alternative EducationJacqui Beets & Debra Wood
Introductiono This infomercial accompanies the document – Alternative Education in New Zealand
o We will discuss the pros and cons of alternative education
o We will show how alternative education is as valid and appropriate as a state school’s
o We are aware that laws and policy surrounding private schools are currently under review and this review is due in March 2010
Alternative EducationClick on a picture to view different types of education available.
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Summary
Overviewo Alternative education programmes have had a healthy impact on the forming of the new NZ Curriculum document
o Constructivist thinking becoming part of 'state' controlled education is a major step forward from the old "heads down, bottoms up" approach of symbol processing, book and rote learning
o According to constructivists such as Cole & Bruner a large part of what we are currently teaching is- ‘how to do school’
o These and other 'alternative thinkers' have paved the way forward for a new 'exciting' curriculum document that will allow teachers to ignite their students not extinguish their spirit
Private Schoolso Not bound by the
National Curriculum
o Independent but can receive up to 25% of running costs
o Funded by parent fees and donations
o Free to practice innovative approaches to education
o Many offer alternatives to NCEA
ADVANTAGESo Smaller classes o Individualised attention for
students o Strong pastoral care o Traditional values o Innovative practice o High academic, cultural and
sporting achievement
DISADVANTAGESo Elitist o High cost
Rudolf Steiner – Waldorf Schools
o Holistic, spiritual education but not of a particular religion
o Balances scientific, aesthetic and moral values
o Classes are a synthesis of science, art and religion
o Three stages 0-7, 7-14 & 14-21
o Students are given a sense of their own unique destiny
o Interested parties should view Steiner’s philosophy of anthroposophy
ADVANTAGESo Holistic, whole child
education o World wide network o Same teacher over long
period o Deep understanding of
topics at senior level
DISADVANTAGESo Artistic bias o Whole life philosophy o Cult status
Montessorio Education should be
intriguing and delightful not structured
o Inquiry and research based
o Focus on a positive environment and self correction
o Students live and learn in a natural, mixed-age group
o Works in gifted and talented programmes, and for children with disabilities of all kinds
o Many parents are using Montessori methods to raise/ educate their children at home
ADVANTAGESo Student encouraged to learn at
own pace
o Freedom to move and work on a topic of interest
o Work for the joy of work and discovery
o Co-operation encouraged
o Emphasis on real world learning
DISADVANTAGESo Child may not want to work
o Wide differences between schools
o Resource dependent
o Areas of curriculum may be missed
Teenage Parents
Teenage parents typically face:
o Social stigmao Financial, physical, mental
and emotional distresso Strained family, partner, and
peer relationshipso Lack of preparation for
parentingo Limited educational
opportunities o Limited career prospects
New Zealand has a high and steadily-increasing teenage pregnancy rate.
Teen Parent Programmes address these needs.More
Teen Parent Programmeso Formed in 2002 by APTENZ
(Association of Teen Parent Educators of New Zealand)
o Provide ongoing or “second chance” education
o Supportive environmento Free preschool childcareo Currently 20 member
schools throughout New Zealand
o Funded by Ministry of Education and service organisations, e.g. Zonta
o Curriculum covers English, Maths, ICT, parenting, nutrition, and a Correspondence option
Programmes offer a valid educational opportunity:
“They believed in me – they gave me a second chance at learning … They gave me a lot of confidence and motivation” (Teen parent now studying at Teacher’s College)
Religious Schools
o Have their ‘faith’ at the core of their teaching philosophy
o Free to teach subject matter as their faith dictates
o There are a wide range of religious schools including-o Catholico Adventisto Christian
Fundamentalisto Muslim
o Unrestricted by NZ Curriculum
ADVANTAGESo In keeping with religious
community beliefs
o No conflict of ideology or beliefs
o Smaller classes
o Family orientated
o Strong school, family partnership
DISADVANTAGESo Dogma - Single belief or faith
taught, other religions are not an option
o Subject content can be restricted to 'fit' with religious beliefs
o Encourages isolation and encapsulates a community
The Correspondence SchoolThe Correspondence School provides distance education based on the New Zealand Curriculum up to Year 13
Tutors and course material may be accessed on-line, by email, and via post
Support for supervisors and students is available, including regional events and teacher meetings
More
Who Can Access The Correspondence School?
Free - To Year 9-13 students via the following “gateways”:
o Gifted and talentedo Isolation/itinerancy/
overseaso Young parentso Alienated from school
system o In corrective or CYF
custody o Excluded/ suspendedo Psychological/social
needs
Fees payable:o Students over 16
years who fall outside the gateways may enrol as adults, paying $100 per subject.
o Students under 16 years pay over $800 per subject.
Dual-enrolment through secondary
schools via the following gateways:
o Gifted and talented o Special needs o Special
circumstances (e.g. teen parent, overseas student)
o School is small or understaffed
More
The Correspondence School: pros and cons
ADVANTAGESo Individualized
learningo Suits self-
motivated students o Materials appeal to
visual learners o Gifted students may
accelerate their educationo Flexible study times
and locationso Increased family
and leisure time o Freedom from undesirable
school culture (i.e. bullying)
o Being part of a unique school culture
DISADVANTAGESo High course fees for
those outside the “gateway” criteria
o Isolation & socialization issues
o Motivation difficultieso Careful time-planning
required o Lack of teacher
assistanceo Caregiver supervision
requiredo Some subjects not
offered (e.g. Drama, Dance)
Home Schoolingo Diverse groups cluster under the terms Home Schooling, Home Education and Unschooling
o Education at home has always been legal but a Ministry of Education exemption is required
o Home educators must show that the student will be taught “as regularly and well as in a registered school,” and must provide evidence of regularity, routine, and a suitable programme
o The Education Review Office checks student progress
More
Why home-educate? a few of the many reasons …
o Religion/Philosophyo Learning difficulties/special
needs studentso Distance from a local schoolo Schooling costso Lifestyle, including itinerancyo Dissatisfaction with
mainstream school systems, curriculum, teaching standards, or policies
o Students who are bullied, unhappy, or who do not “fit in” to mainstream schools
o A desire for more family timeo Health reasons o Gifted or talented studentso Suspension
Despite their differences, home educators agree that
valid and appropriate education takes place outside a school, with
parents or caregivers as facilitators of a student’s
individual learning.
More
Home Schooling – pros and consADVANTAGES:o Flexibility and control over
learning content, timing, methods
o Encourages autonomy, promotes individuality and creativity
o Allows time to discover and pursue true interests
o Suits self-directed learnerso Increased family time and
strengthened family relationships
o Increased opportunity for outside-the- classroom learning
o A “green alternative” – no transport or uniform requirements
DISADVANTAGES:o One parent must be at
home to supervise lessons – a financial burden for some families
o Resources must be sourced or purchased and may be costly or inappropriate for New Zealand use
o Gaining NCEA credits can be problematic
o Correspondence School lessons can be purchased but at a cost-prohibitive price for many
o Peer socialization may be an issue
“Alternative Education”A Ministry of Education programme for 13-15 year-olds who have become 'lost' or alienated from the education system. Aims to help students re-enter mainstream education or (if over 16) to enter a pre-employment training course. Administered through Alternative Learning Centres run by charitable and social service organisations. Government funding covers some costs; others are met through donations, fundraising, and bequests.
Student backgrounds are typically characterized by:
o Suspension, truanting, dropping out o Serious behavioural issues, including crime o Drug and alcohol problems o Psychological disorder o Abusive, traumatic or dysfunctional environments
More
“Alternative Learning Centres”: a representative overview
Wellington City Mission’s “Alternative Education
Secondary School”
Offers educational, recreational and life-skills subjects,
counselling, personal support, advocacy, and mentoring to at-risk 13-17 year olds. Students
are helped to identify, understand and deal with their
problems.
Challenge College, WellingtonA Christian-based structured programme focusing on numeracy, literacy, life skills, and a variety of arts and sports.
“… my life was going down the tubes … I was arrogant, selfish and always getting into fights. … the Challenge 2000 team have been a great influence on me and have helped me change for the better. ” (Tim, 17 years old)
Waipareira Alternative Education Unit, Auckland
The first and largest unit of its kind in New Zealand. Aims to teach basic literacy and numeracy skills and resolve behavioural,
physical and emotional issues.
More
“Alternative Education” Programmes – pros and cons
ADVANTAGESo Holistic courses
centred on wellbeing and positive lifestyle choices
o Individual learning programmes
o Positive adult attentionSmall whanau-style learning units
o Encouragement to achieve meaningful objectives
o Students may work at their own level and pace
o Staff provide ethnic role models
DISADVANTAGESo Entry criteria applyo Student behaviours
make maintenance of a safe learning environment challenging
o Limited curriculum o Peer socialising
opportunities limited to those in the group
o Centres may be distant from students’ communities
Regional Health Schools
Established by the Ministry of Education in 2000 for students with high health needs.
Based in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Students remain on their regular school roll and are taught at home, in hospital or at their regular school.
Teachers adapt individual education programmes (IEPs) based on: o The student's learning needs o Their regular school programme o The New Zealand Curriculum Framework
Programmes may include: o One-to-one tuition o Accessing the resources of The Correspondence School o Assisting with the transition of students back to their regular school
More
Regional Health Schools –Pros and Cons
ADVANTAGESo Students are
supported to continue or resume their education
o Specialised individual programmes developed or adapted to suit student needs
o One-on-one teacher time
DISADVANTAGESo Isolation, loneliness o Students may miss
former peers, schools, teachers, learning styles
o Unwell students may lack stamina to enjoy or participate in learning
o Not all subjects are offered
Summary
As seen, there is a diverse range of educational opportunities available in New Zealand. In light of the current review we believe:o this diversity should be maintained.o more parents and students should be made aware of available options.o a culture of openness, positive communication, and mutual respect should be fostered between mainstream and alternative schooling.o awareness and training should be provided for management and teachers in recognising “at risk” students who would benefit from these alternatives.
May The Force Be With You!
"Education is not the filling
of a bucket, rather, th
e
lighting of a fire."
William Butler Yeats
“It's not what is poured into a student that counts, but what is planted.”-Linda Conway
"We especially need imagination in science.
It is not all mathematics, nor all logic, but it is
somewhat beauty and poetry." - Maria Montessori
"Receive the children in reverence, educate
them in love, let them go forth in
freedom." Rudolf Steiner “Education's purpose is to
replace an empty mind with an open one.”
Malcom S. Forbes
“It is a miracle that curiosity
survives formal education.“
- Albert Einstein
References and Contacts
For further information see ‘References’ and ‘Contacts’
pages on the web site
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