Are progressive schools a bad fit for parents who want to see academic progress?

[Anonymous]

For those that say you need faith it will all come together or that have otherwise had good experience, what did the experience look like to you?

At our school, I know a lot of families are being told their kids are a little behind on things like reading, and the school can be a bit cagey about providing a lot of information to parents. I have found this all a bit disturbing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure how progressive education became synonymous with lack of structure. The days, assignments, academics, etc, are completely structured. A kid doesn't just get to do whatever they want to do whenever. I think an above poster is correct that the term is used around here to describe calling teachers by their first names, lack of dress code, etc.

It can look like lack of structure to a casual observer -- desks are in groups, not rows; there is significant time with students spending working with each other instead of passively listening to the teacher; rote memorization is not stressed. But for us, that's a positive. I agree with you that there is appropriate internal structure and that the teachers are making deliberate choices so that students learn whatever is the goal of the lesson plan.

By those standards, most public elementaries are progressive. Desks on groups or seated at small tables together, zero to very little rote memorization, definitely not passively listening to a teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those that say you need faith it will all come together or that have otherwise had good experience, what did the experience look like to you?

At our school, I know a lot of families are being told their kids are a little behind on things like reading, and the school can be a bit cagey about providing a lot of information to parents. I have found this all a bit disturbing.

As mom to a dyslexic kid who was flagged at age 5 by their amazing Montessori school, that would unnerve me, too.

[Anonymous]

I know at our progressive school students take the ERBs so they know where students fall in the overall scheme of things. In terms of trusting the process, the progressive schools that I'm thinking of around here have been around a LONG time. If they weren't meeting the standards, you would've known it decades ago.

[Anonymous]

I think if a child isn't doing well in a progressive school, it's probably less about the philosophy of the school and maybe just the actual school that is not the right fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are trying to decide whether a progressive school is a good fit. There is a lot that we liked, but we wondered whether the academics were a bit squishy. Will be disappointed if we go in expecting to see regular and discernible academic progress?

[Anonymous]

If you have a mindset that even mildly wades into thinking progressive education and academic progress are mutually exclusive, then you should just stick to traditional education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure how progressive education became synonymous with lack of structure. The days, assignments, academics, etc, are completely structured. A kid doesn't just get to do whatever they want to do whenever. I think an above poster is correct that the term is used around here to describe calling teachers by their first names, lack of dress code, etc.

It can look like lack of structure to a casual observer -- desks are in groups, not rows; there is significant time with students spending working with each other instead of passively listening to the teacher; rote memorization is not stressed. But for us, that's a positive. I agree with you that there is appropriate internal structure and that the teachers are making deliberate choices so that students learn whatever is the goal of the lesson plan.

In other words, authentic learning is happening...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are trying to decide whether a progressive school is a good fit. There is a lot that we liked, but we wondered whether the academics were a bit squishy. Will be disappointed if we go in expecting to see regular and discernible academic progress?

You should be very honest with yourself about what you mean and want in terms of "regular discernible academic progress".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure how progressive education became synonymous with lack of structure. The days, assignments, academics, etc, are completely structured. A kid doesn't just get to do whatever they want to do whenever. I think an above poster is correct that the term is used around here to describe calling teachers by their first names, lack of dress code, etc.

It can look like lack of structure to a casual observer -- desks are in groups, not rows; there is significant time with students spending working with each other instead of passively listening to the teacher; rote memorization is not stressed. But for us, that's a positive. I agree with you that there is appropriate internal structure and that the teachers are making deliberate choices so that students learn whatever is the goal of the lesson plan.

By those standards, most public elementaries are progressive. Desks on groups or seated at small tables together, zero to very little rote memorization, definitely not passively listening to a teacher.

My kid switched from public school to a private progressive school in mid elementary school. There were some similarities, but he spent way more time in teacher led activities/receiving instruction in public school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are trying to decide whether a progressive school is a good fit. There is a lot that we liked, but we wondered whether the academics were a bit squishy. Will be disappointed if we go in expecting to see regular and discernible academic progress?

You should be very honest with yourself about what you mean and want in terms of "regular discernible academic progress".

I mean year to year progress and growth that is at least consistent with the sort of benchmarks/standards that you would find at other schools.

Is that too much to ask for at a progressive school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are trying to decide whether a progressive school is a good fit. There is a lot that we liked, but we wondered whether the academics were a bit squishy. Will be disappointed if we go in expecting to see regular and discernible academic progress?

You should be very honest with yourself about what you mean and want in terms of "regular discernible academic progress".

I mean year to year progress and growth that is at least consistent with the sort of benchmarks/standards that you would find at other schools.

Is that too much to ask for at a progressive school?

Basically, I don't want to find out that my kid is behind because the teachers/school couldn't be bothered to focus on the fundamental building blocks that need to be put in place in elementary school.

[Anonymous]

If “can’t be bothered” describes a school you’re considering, it’s just a bad school. That has nothing to do with whether it is progressive or not.

It does sound like maybe you should focus on more traditional school settings, however. For your own peace of mind - seems like a better fit.

[Anonymous]

There are so many variables to this. I taught at a progressive school. Interestingly, my own personal views on education are more traditional. Some kids really thrived and found their academic passions. Not every kid, and some definitely could have used more structure and more traditional expectations. It also depends on the environment you are switching from.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are trying to decide whether a progressive school is a good fit. There is a lot that we liked, but we wondered whether the academics were a bit squishy. Will be disappointed if we go in expecting to see regular and discernible academic progress?

You should be very honest with yourself about what you mean and want in terms of "regular discernible academic progress".

I mean year to year progress and growth that is at least consistent with the sort of benchmarks/standards that you would find at other schools.

Is that too much to ask for at a progressive school?

Basically, I don't want to find out that my kid is behind because the teachers/school couldn't be bothered to focus on the fundamental building blocks that need to be put in place in elementary school.

If that's your gut feeling about progressive schools, you shouldn't choose it. But know that your fears aren't based in reality.