Decentralizing Education: The Forces Behind the Micro-School Boom, with Kerry McDonald
Jun 27, 2024
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Host Andreas chats with Kerry McDonald, author of 'Unschooled,' diving into the rise of micro-schools post-COVID. They discuss tech's role, universal school choice policies, and maintaining innovation. Kerry emphasizes joyful learning environments and the impact of technology on innovative education models.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the exploration of diverse educational options beyond traditional schooling models.
Innovative schools prioritize joyful learning experiences for all stakeholders, emphasizing customization and learner-centered education.
Deep dives
Flexible Education Options Emerging Due to School Closures
The declining enrollment in public schools and closures of traditional schools like those in Broward County, Florida, signal a shift towards diverse education options. Families are exploring non-traditional choices due to factors like demographic changes and the pandemic. Micro schools and innovative learning models are becoming popular, offering a dynamic and responsive marketplace for education.
Rise of Education Entrepreneurs and Innovative Learning Models
The growth in education entrepreneurship predates the pandemic, with trends like homeschooling and micro schooling gaining momentum. The pandemic heightened awareness of alternative education approaches, leading to increased interest in personalized and innovative learning. Families and teachers are exploring new educational models beyond the traditional classroom setting.
Decentralization of Education Funding and School Choice Policies
Universal school choice policies in states like Arizona and Florida are reshaping education funding by enabling families to choose alternative learning programs. These policies promote decentralization and allow funds to follow students, fostering a more dynamic marketplace of education options. The trend towards universal school choice aims to empower families and enhance education innovation.
Amidst diverse educational philosophies and methodologies, a common trait in innovative schools is the emphasis on joy in learning environments. The focus on joyful learning experiences for teachers, students, and families marks a shift towards learner-centered and engaging education. Technology plays a role in enabling personalization and customization, contributing to high levels of consumer satisfaction and positive outcomes.
In this episode, host Andreas welcomes Kerry McDonald, the host of The Liberated Podcast and author of 'Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom.'
We explore the rapid rise of micro-schools and the factors driving the decentralization of education with guest Kerry McDonald. We discuss:
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on educational choices
How technology is enabling new models of learning
The role of universal school choice policies in catalyzing innovation
Challenges and opportunities in the micro-school movement
Ways to sustain innovation and avoid bureaucratization
Key quotes from Kerry McDonald:
"What the pandemic did was just put a spotlight on other ways of approaching teaching and learning."
"The main pattern or the main trait across all of these models...is joy. These are joyful learning environments for children, for teachers, for staff, for learners, for families."
"We don't have to require all eight year olds to be learning the exact same thing at the exact same time the exact same way like they might have in previous generations with a static textbook."
Here's a quick list of where to find Kerry McDonald and key resources discussed in the podcast:
Where to find Kerry McDonald:
Website: fee.org/kerry
Podcast: liberatedpodcast.com
Social media: X (formerly Twitter) @Kerry_edu
Forbes column: forbes.com/sites/kerrymcdonald/
Key resources mentioned:
Book: "Unschooled" by Kerry McDonald
Vela Education Fund: velaedfund.org
EdChoice: edchoice.org
Yes Every Kid: yeseverykid.com
National Microschooling Center: microschooling.org
Microschool Solutions: microschoolsolutions.com
KaiPod Learning: kaipodlearning.com
Innovative Educators Network (South Florida): innovativeeducatorsfl.com
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