Alternative Education Jacqui Beets & Debra Wood Introduction o This infomercial accompanies the document – Alternative Education in New Zealand o We.

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