Learning Centered Schooling - Part 1

This is not about homeschooling despite yesterday's post. Despite their appearance public schools in the US are not primarily focused on education. They are primarily focused on providing free child care. I'm not sure anybody in the school system would say that. However, what is the focus when it comes to consequences? If a kid graduates school without learning much it's... unfortunately normal. However, if I don't take my kid to school too much I will get in trouble. So no matter how much they say public schools are all about learning it comes down to who gets in trouble for what.

The structure and rules of our public education system are archaic. They concept of a school year, the structure of teachers dictating information to pupils, the physical format of desks facing the front, the fixed schedule, the monolithic hours. All developed with good reason the better part of a century or more ago. All these rules do not inherently make sense for us today. Continuing simply because the inertia of time and tradition is unwise and potentially significantly counterproductive.

Growing up in a homeschool environment it was not uncommon to hear very negative opinions about the public education system. It was frequently demonized and homeschooling was set up on this grand pedestal of perfection. The idea that homeschooling should be the primary choice of everyone was common.

I agree that the public education system has its troubles. I mean, given the general failure of the public education system despite spending more than any other country I think it is appropriate to question the wisdom of continuing on with our current system. However, it is naive to assume that everyone or even most people can or are willing to homeschool their kids. Public education plays an important role in our society. So instead of poking it full of holes, laughing and walking away I want to propose something a little more constructive.

I want to propose a system for education to replace our current paradigm of public education. It is based on my experience working in industry, my homeschooling background as well as my broader life experiences. I want to add something a bit more productive to the conversation beyond casting stones and poking holes. The US public education system has enough troubles that it doesn't need another critic.