Showcase: What's Working in Education

IDEA highlights what's working in education. Here are just a few examples, with many more to come:

• Nuestra Escuela: This school has five educational programs in Puerto Rico based on a mission of love. Founded in 2000, it enrolls 300 students who are typically between ages 13 and 22, and their families. The vast majority have had major academic or life challenges. In addition to core academics, students engage in arts, sports, and entrepreneurship. Read the IDEA staff's feature on Nuestra Escuela


• EdVisions Schools: EdVisions Schools in a non-profit educational development organization affiliated with the EdVisions Cooperative, the first public school teacher cooperative in the nation. EdVisions Schools help create and sustain a network of small, innovative high schools across the U.S. using the EdVisions Model, which consists of these essentials: small learning community, self-directed project based learning, authentic assessment, teacher-ownership.


• The Fertile Grounds Project: Based in New York City, this nonprofit organization reaches young people typically left behind by public school education. The Hallway Project helps at-risk high school students get on track to graduate through project based learning, and Camp Kadia teaches survival and leadership skills to inner-city youth through outdoor education.

• Jefferson County Open School: Jefferson County Open School: JCOS is a public pre-K through 12 school in Lakewood, Colorado, based on student-directed learning, mentorship, and caring relationships. Students have plenty of opportunities to learn off campus.

• Big Picture Schools: Over 60 small public schools, in which high school students learn through small advisory groups and internships in real workplaces, are now operating in at least 14 states and three countries.

Note that all these resources will be geared toward democratic education, based on youth engagement and participatory learning.

Know another example of democratic education? Email us about it.