We speak with Deborah Meier and Jane Andrias, pioneers in the democratic small-school movement. Debbie founded the Central Park East Schools. Jane Andrias was an art teacher and principal at Central Park East I. Debbie and Jane discuss these ground-breaking schools, their ethical foundations, the “habits of mind” they worked to instill, and the challenges they faced.
*This is Part One of a two part episode.
Overview
00:00-00:43 Intros
00:43-01:52 What would a school fully focused on preparing students for a democraticsociety look like?
01:52-03:08 Impacts of curriculum and school environment
03:08-05:40 Students’ voice in what they are learning
05:40-11:01 Democratic, progressive, ethical schools: are they synonymous?
11:01-18:32 Examples of ethical dilemmas and decisions
18:32-22:07 Negative effects of tracking and what the alternatives look like
22:07-24:19 Building long-term trust
24:19-26:05 Including all school staff members in decision-making and obstacles
26:05-29:57 Including parents and students
Transcript
Click here to see the full transcription of this episode.
References
Soundtrack by Poddington Bear
Drs. Katherine Norris and Kathryn Wiley, colleagues at Howard University’s School of Education, speak about obstacles to recruiting and retaining teachers and increasing diversity....
Jill Herman, founding principal of East Side Community H.S, now at Bank Street College, raises essential questions: To whom should a principal be accountable?...
Ellen McHugh, long time activist and Public Advocate Williams’s appointee to the NYC Citywide Council on Special Education, delves into the challenges facing parents ...
