2. Alternative Education Jacqui Beets & Debra Wood

3. Introduction o This infomercial accompanies the document – Alternative Education in New Zealand o We will discuss the pros and cons of alternative education o We will show how alternative education is as valid and appropriate as a state schools o We are aware that laws and policy surrounding private schools are currently under review and this review is due in March 2010

4. Alternative Education Click on a picture to view different types of education available. Use the arrows and icons here to help navigate Summary

5. Alternative Education Click on a picture to view different types of education available. Use the arrows and icons here to help navigate

6. Alternative Education Private Schools Use the arrows and icons here to help navigate Click on a picture to view different types of education available.

7. Alternative Education Click on a picture to view different types of education available. Use the arrows and icons here to help navigate

8. Alternative Education Click on a picture to view different types of education available. Use the arrows and icons here to navigate

9. Overview o Alternative education programmes have had a healthy impact on the forming of the new NZ Curriculum document o Constructivist thinking becoming part of 'state' controlled education is a major step forward from the old "heads down, bottoms up" approach of symbol processing, book and rote learning o According to constructivists such as Cole & Bruner a large part of what we are currently teaching is- how to do school o These and other 'alternative thinkers' have paved the way forward for a new 'exciting' curriculum document that will allow teachers to ignite their students not extinguish their spirit

10. Private Schools oNot bound by the National Curriculum oIndependent but can receive up to 25% of running costs oFunded by parent fees and donations oFree to practice innovative approaches to education oMany offer alternatives to NCEA ADVANTAGES oSmaller classes oIndividualised attention for students oStrong pastoral care oTraditional values oInnovative practice oHigh academic, cultural and sporting achievement DISADVANTAGES oElitist oHigh cost

11. Rudolf Steiner – Waldorf Schools oHolistic, spiritual education but not of a particular religion oBalances scientific, aesthetic and moral values oClasses are a synthesis of science, art and religion oThree stages 0-7, 7-14 & 14-21 oStudents are given a sense of their own unique destiny oInterested parties should view Steiners philosophy of anthroposophy ADVANTAGES oHolistic, whole child education oWorld wide network oSame teacher over long period oDeep understanding of topics at senior level DISADVANTAGES oArtistic bias oWhole life philosophy oCult status

12. Montessori oEducation should be intriguing and delightful not structured oInquiry and research based oFocus on a positive environment and self correction oStudents live and learn in a natural, mixed-age group oWorks in gifted and talented programmes, and for children with disabilities of all kinds oMany parents are using Montessori methods to raise/ educate their children at home ADVANTAGES oStudent encouraged to learn at own pace oFreedom to move and work on a topic of interest oWork for the joy of work and discovery oCo-operation encouraged oEmphasis on real world learning DISADVANTAGES oChild may not want to work oWide differences between schools oResource dependent oAreas of curriculum may be missed

13. Teenage Parents Teenage parents typically face: oSocial stigma oFinancial, physical, mental and emotional distress oStrained family, partner, and peer relationships oLack of preparation for parenting oLimited educational opportunities oLimited career prospects New Zealand has a high and steadily-increasing teenage pregnancy rate. Teen Parent Programmes address these needs. More

14. Teen Parent Programmes oFormed in 2002 by APTENZ (Association of Teen Parent Educators of New Zealand) oProvide ongoing or second chance education oSupportive environment oFree preschool childcare oCurrently 20 member schools throughout New Zealand oFunded by Ministry of Education and service organisations, e.g. Zonta oCurriculum covers English, Maths, ICT, parenting, nutrition, and a Correspondence option Programmes offer a valid educational opportunity: They believed in me – they gave me a second chance at learning … They gave me a lot of confidence and motivation (Teen parent now studying at Teachers College)

15. Religious Schools oHave their faith at the core of their teaching philosophy oFree to teach subject matter as their faith dictates oThere are a wide range of religious schools including- o Catholic o Adventist o Christian Fundamentalist o Muslim oUnrestricted by NZ Curriculum ADVANTAGES oIn keeping with religious community beliefs oNo conflict of ideology or beliefs oSmaller classes oFamily orientated oStrong school, family partnership DISADVANTAGES oDogma - Single belief or faith taught, other religions are not an option oSubject content can be restricted to 'fit' with religious beliefs oEncourages isolation and encapsulates a community

16. The Correspondence School The Correspondence School provides distance education based on the New Zealand Curriculum up to Year 13 Tutors and course material may be accessed on-line, by email, and via post Support for supervisors and students is available, including regional events and teacher meetings More

17. Who Can Access The Correspondence School? Free - To Year 9-13 students via the following gateways: oGifted and talented oIsolation/itinerancy/ overseas oYoung parents oAlienated from school system oIn corrective or CYF custody oExcluded/ suspended oPsychological/social needs Fees payable: oStudents over 16 years who fall outside the gateways may enrol as adults, paying $100 per subject. oStudents under 16 years pay over $800 per subject. Dual-enrolment through secondary schools via the following gateways: o Gifted and talented o Special needs o Special circumstances (e.g. teen parent, overseas student) oSchool is small or understaffed More

18. The Correspondence School: pros and cons ADVANTAGES oIndividualized learning oSuits self- motivated students oMaterials appeal to visual learners oGifted students may accelerate their education oFlexible study times and locations oIncreased family and leisure time oFreedom from undesirable school culture (i.e. bullying) oBeing part of a unique school culture DISADVANTAGES oHigh course fees for those outside the gateway criteria oIsolation & socialization issues oMotivation difficulties oCareful time-planning required oLack of teacher assistance oCaregiver supervision required oSome subjects not offered (e.g. Drama, Dance)

19. Home Schooling o Diverse groups cluster under the terms Home Schooling, Home Education and Unschooling o Education at home has always been legal but a Ministry of Education exemption is required o Home educators must show that the student will be taught as regularly and well as in a registered school, and must provide evidence of regularity, routine, and a suitable programme o The Education Review Office checks student progress More

20. Why home-educate? a few of the many reasons … oReligion/Philosophy oLearning difficulties/special needs students oDistance from a local school oSchooling costs oLifestyle, including itinerancy oDissatisfaction with mainstream school systems, curriculum, teaching standards, or policies oStudents who are bullied, unhappy, or who do not fit in to mainstream schools oA desire for more family time oHealth reasons oGifted or talented students oSuspension Despite their differences, home educators agree that valid and appropriate education takes place outside a school, with parents or caregivers as facilitators of a students individual learning. More

21. Home Schooling – pros and cons ADVANTAGES: oFlexibility and control over learning content, timing, methods oEncourages autonomy, promotes individuality and creativity oAllows time to discover and pursue true interests oSuits self-directed learners oIncreased family time and strengthened family relationships oIncreased opportunity for outside-the- classroom learning oA green alternative – no transport or uniform requirements DISADVANTAGES: oOne parent must be at home to supervise lessons – a financial burden for some families oResources must be sourced or purchased and may be costly or inappropriate for New Zealand use oGaining NCEA credits can be problematic oCorrespondence School lessons can be purchased but at a cost-prohibitive price for many oPeer socialization may be an issue

22. Alternative Education A Ministry of Education programme for 13-15 year-olds who have become 'lost' or alienated from the education system. Aims to help students re-enter mainstream education or (if over 16) to enter a pre-employment training course. Administered through Alternative Learning Centres run by charitable and social service organisations. Government funding covers some costs; others are met through donations, fundraising, and bequests. Student backgrounds are typically characterized by: oSuspension, truanting, dropping out oSerious behavioural issues, including crime oDrug and alcohol problems oPsychological disorder oAbusive, traumatic or dysfunctional environments More

23. Alternative Learning Centres: a representative overview Wellington City Missions Alternative Education Secondary School Offers educational, recreational and life-skills subjects, counselling, personal support, advocacy, and mentoring to at- risk 13-17 year olds. Students are helped to identify, understand and deal with their problems. Challenge College, Wellington A Christian-based structured programme focusing on numeracy, literacy, life skills, and a variety of arts and sports. … my life was going down the tubes … I was arrogant, selfish and always getting into fights. … the Challenge 2000 team have been a great influence on me and have helped me change for the better. (Tim, 17 years old) Waipareira Alternative Education Unit, Auckland The first and largest unit of its kind in New Zealand. Aims to teach basic literacy and numeracy skills and resolve behavioural, physical and emotional issues. More

24. Alternative Education Programmes – pros and cons ADVANTAGES oHolistic courses centred on wellbeing and positive lifestyle choices oIndividual learning programmes oPositive adult attention Small whanau-style learning units oEncouragement to achieve meaningful objectives oStudents may work at their own level and pace oStaff provide ethnic role models DISADVANTAGES oEntry criteria apply oStudent behaviours make maintenance of a safe learning environment challenging oLimited curriculum oPeer socialising opportunities limited to those in the group oCentres may be distant from students communities

25. Regional Health Schools Established by the Ministry of Education in 2000 for students with high health needs. Based in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Students remain on their regular school roll and are taught at home, in hospital or at their regular school. Teachers adapt individual education programmes (IEPs) based on: o The student's learning needs o Their regular school programme o The New Zealand Curriculum Framework Programmes may include: o One-to-one tuition o Accessing the resources of The Correspondence School o Assisting with the transition of students back to their regular school More

26. Regional Health Schools – Pros and Cons ADVANTAGES oStudents are supported to continue or resume their education oSpecialised individual programmes developed or adapted to suit student needs oOne-on-one teacher time DISADVANTAGES oIsolation, loneliness oStudents may miss former peers, schools, teachers, learning styles oUnwell students may lack stamina to enjoy or participate in learning oNot all subjects are offered

27. Summary As seen, there is a diverse range of educational opportunities available in New Zealand. In light of the current review we believe: o this diversity should be maintained. o more parents and students should be made aware of available options. o a culture of openness, positive communication, and mutual respect should be fostered between mainstream and alternative schooling. o awareness and training should be provided for management and teachers in recognising at risk students who would benefit from these alternatives.

28. May The Force Be With You! "Education is not the filling of a bucket, rather, the lighting of a fire." William Butler Yeats It's not what is poured into a student that counts, but what is planted.-Linda Conway "We especially need imagination in science. It is not all mathematics, nor all logic, but it is somewhat beauty and poetry." - Maria Montessori "Receive the children in reverence, educate them in love, let them go forth in freedom." Rudolf Steiner Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one. Malcom S. Forbes It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education. - Albert Einstein

29. References and Contacts For further information see References and Contacts pages on the web site