Global Self-Directed Democratic Schools Conference

Last week a group of dedicated and inspired individuals gathered in the outskirts of Chicago for the Global Self-Directed Democratic Schools Conference hosted by Tallgrass Sudbury School.

Staff from self-directed and self-governed schools across the US and Canada, along with some students, parents, and supporters, collaboratively submitted workshop and breakout discussions proposals then sponsored and voted on their favorites to create together a robust 3 day schedule of sessions along with preplanned presentations by researchers studying self-directed students and schools, Sudbury International, and world-renowned author and researcher Dr. Peter Gray.

I reflected during these meaningful and energizing events and the shared meals and conversation between them, how important it is to have these days of solidarity and camaraderie when part of a counter-cultural movement.

Self-directed self-governed K-12 schools are indeed counter-cultural. Any movement that has sought to reform society - the Suffragist movement, the Civil Rights Movement, the Environmental Protection movement - heck, even the organic food movement - has faced criticism, rejection, and worse as each movement sought to bring about change.

There’s a natural friction when going against the grain. It’s easier to follow convention, to stick with the status quo. Even if there are parts of it that rub us wrong, we ourselves don’t face the critique of swimming against the tide. Those that do find it’s both exhilarating and exhausting.

Our small schools scattered around the world are working to engage with young people in a way that respects their rights, interests, and dignity. We’re nurturing and protecting unique environments where young people can have real choice and voice, choosing what to do and having a say in how things are run.

Current convention says that the rights of young people must be suppressed for the sake of “educating” them. The belief in practice is that young people wouldn’t or couldn’t learn the things they need to succeed in life without carefully crafted lessons and evaluations by adults. At its best, these are good intentions. At its worst, these are conditions for feeling imprisoned, infantilized, and demoralized.

Many of us in the self-directed education movement were inspired by the writings of Dr. Peter Gray, others by the writings and practice of The Sudbury Valley School, and still others by other great writing and practice around the globe. We see the power in choice and voice for youth and work with tremendous care to create places for young people to exercise their brilliant human nature with protected human rights.

We know that human children are not only capable of learning without force - they typically thrive when learning without force. We see the development of critical thinking, creativity, compassion, problem solving, and confidence that happens when the adults protect a child’s right to choose their path and a community’s ability to self-govern.

While we see incredible growth and inspirational outcomes, those of us who are part of these communities also face intense judgement and fairly constant rejection. It’s hard to go against convention. Convention is what’s known and trusted - whether or not it’s actually the best way.

Historically, convention said women weren’t able to make their own choices, including political ones. It said the color of one’s skin determined the value and rights of the person. It said industry and individuals needn’t bother with concerns about the planet… It took small groups of dedicated people to push against the long-held beliefs that were serving some and hurting others.

We’re saying that young people are and should be able to make developmentally-appropriate choices and should have inalienable rights regardless of age. We’re saying we all need to be bothered when young people are anxious, depressed, or failing to thrive in school conditions that are hurting them.

Still, it’s exhausting to push against convention. And so we take refuge and re-energize with like-minded folks who can also see the vision of liberated learning and self-governed communities for youth. We laugh at the silly moments, commiserate with the difficult ones, and bolster each other to go back to our communities with a little more strength to keep going against the current.

It’s a beautiful group of people - and perhaps that’s not surprising. It takes not only good intention but open-mindedness and determination to see a different way and to walk that path. This movement seems to attract remarkable individuals.

Hopefully, like other movements that were once marginal, the movement to treat children as capable learners and leaders will become an accepted part of society. Perhaps we will someday wonder how people could ever have confined children to desks, classes, homework, and testing without their consent.

Until then, we will find ways to support each other and to celebrate the joys inherent in this way of interacting with young people. We will also savor the joys of working together for this vision of educational justice and freedom.

If you’re reading this as a fellow staff, parent, student, or simply supporter, let us all take heart and remember to re-energize. Every worthy movement needs it!