Standardized tests are only useful for measuring standardized minds. However, humans are not standardized, nor do we want them to be. If you think about it, pressuring students to do well on standardized tests is a strange way to measure success. Why would we want everyone to learn the same content or take the same path? One thing that makes the world a rich and beautiful place is that we all have different strengths and ideas to bring to the table. It is misguided to create an educational system where each student is only supposed to learn prescribed content.

Sometimes…

“We need to rebuild our schools from the ground up with the democratic classroom in mind. This would increase the positive outcomes of education for everyone and create the world leaders that we need to solve global problems such as climate change” — High School student

I’ve been researching and teaching about student-centered education and intervention programs for over a decade. The research is clear ­– kids are more engaged in school when their education is personally meaningful and culturally relevant. Sure, some students do fine in a traditional school setting if the definition of success is high-scores on standardized…

The last morning I saw you, I found the strength to set a firm boundary. I knew the time had come for me to stop accepting your lies and lack of accountability.

Remember your post that day? You said we were both broken, and that I didn’t know I was. I became furious. Again, you attempted to knock me out of my groove right before work. You timed your attacks, to rock me when I needed to be grounded. Your constant betrayal ripped through my heart like a wood chipper. However, it did not break me.

Is that what made…

“What do you mean? I’m a distraction?” I seductively said as I peered into his large russet-colored eyes. John had long, shaggy black hair and a broad smile. As usual, he was wearing Levis and a faded Rush t-shirt. I had on my favorite frayed cutoffs, a black and white striped skin-tight crop top, and black converse. My hair shined like a raven and battled against the thick summer air. I teased it up as high as I could get it — the bigger the hair, the closer to god — was our motto. …

The COVID-19 pandemic and schools being closed have made many parents acknowledge that the mainstream educational system wasn’t serving their kids appropriately. I keep hearing from parents that although their kids miss their friends, they are less stressed and don’t want to go back to school in the fall. Some kids are diving into learning and creative projects in a way that parents didn’t expect. Others are frustrated by trying to replicate traditional school at home. Many parents are asking what alternatives are there?

Some students, parents, and teachers are realizing alternative educational options are critical for students who do…