Reply to Is GDS really too unstructured THROUGHOUT the years?

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[quote=pbraverman][quote=Anonymous]What does that mean even?  Do only the smartest survive?[/quote]

In 25 years of school work this was one of the most confused topics I encountered among adults. I think people often say "structure" when they really mean "order."

I'd argue that "structure" refers to the intellectual and pedagogical underpinnings of a school — the way the program evolves from the early to the later grades, the way a school thinks about and acts in accord with its mission, and whether sub-programs like professional development, exchange programs, and social/emotional growth initiatives are grounded in both mission and practice.

"Order" is about the way kids and adults dress, whether students call teachers by first names, whether they raise their hands, and whether things look, well, [i]orderly[/i].

Order is easy to see — but it doesn't necessarily correlate with the level of academic challenge, the level of fairness or respect for others in the community, or the general feeling of a campus.

Good schools have structure, but I don't think a high degree og order is essential to a great school. Lots of schools have both structure and order, or just one. I ran a middle school that was very high in structure, but definitely below the median in order. I believe education is almost always nonlinear, often messy, and most effective when people are comfortable. Ironically, that approach appealed least to those who walked through the front door wanting a school that was highly "structured." My main point is to be clear about what you're looking for, and I hope my distinction is useful to you.

If you are asking whether GDS is "unstructured," my opinion is generally that it does have a discernible structure. If you are asking whether it is "orderly," my opinion is that it probably appears a bit disorderly to a person who likes rows and columns. You'll have to decide, of course, whether you agree, and whether it appeals to you.

Peter
_____________________

Disclaimer: The anonymity here makes me uncomfortable; it's easy to be uninformed, personal, or simply mean-spirited if people don't identify themselves. For that reason, I have an account so you know whose words you're reading. I have more than 20 years' experience as a teacher and administrator in independent schools, and I have counseled hundreds of students in finding their next schools. I hope I can be helpful to some folks. If you don't like something I've said, you're in good company — there's a long line of past students and parents ahead of you. :) If you want to chat further, please feel free to contact me offline: peter &lt;at&gt; arcpd &lt;dot&gt; com[/quote]

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