This is a unique collection of leading examples of education grounded in alternative philosophies and cultures. No other current volume discusses the diverse options for alternative education in one strong collection. International scholars discuss the histories and contemporary states of different alternative education institutions such as Montessori, Steiner/Waldorf, and Quaker schools.This is a unique collection of leading examples of education grounded in alternative philosophies and cultures - from initiatives to create more democratic schools, through Quaker, Buddhist, Islamic, Montessori and Steiner/Waldorf schools, to Maori and First Nations education in Canada and Palestinian Jewish schools in Israel.

Table of Contents

Introduction; P.A.Woods& G.J.Woods The K20 Model for Systemic Educational Change and Sustainability: Addressing Social Justice in Rural Schools and Implications for Educators in All Contexts; M.J.O'Hair, L.A.Williams, S.Wilson& P.J.Applegate Democratic Schools in Latin America? Lessons Learned from the Experiences in Nicaragua and Brazil; S.Gvirtz& L.Minvielle The Touching Example of Summerhill School; I.Stronach& H.Piper Quaker Schools in England: Offering a Vision of an Alternative Society; H.Johnson A Buddhist Approach to Alternative Schooling: The Dharma School, Brighton, UK; C.Erricker Islamic Schools in the US and Netherlands: Inhibiting or Enhancing Democratic Dispositions?; M.Merry& G.Driessen On Their Way Somewhere: Integrated Bilingual Palestinian Jewish Education in Israel; Z.Bekerman 'Alternative' Maori education? Talking Back/Talking Through Hegemonic Sites of Power; H.Waitere& M.Court Starting with the Land: Toward Indigenous Thought in Canadian Education; C.Haig-Brown& J.Hodson Montessori and Embodied Education; K.Rathunde Education for Freedom: The Goal of Steiner/Waldorf Schools; M.Ashley Pathways to Learning: Deepening Reflective Practice to Explore Democracy, Connectedness and Spirituality; P.A.Woods& G.J.Woods

About the Author

PHILLIP WOODS is Chair in Educational Leadership and Policy in the Department of Education, University of Gloucestershire, UK. GLENYS WOODS is Research Fellow in the Department of Education, University of Gloucestershire, UK.

Reviews

"This is an important and timely book. Not only does it name and explore a range of convincing alternatives to an exhausted and exhausting present, through rich accounts of inspirational practice and incisive and imaginative analysis, it reconnects schooling and education in ways which take seriously the development of the whole person and the development of a vibrant and inclusive democracy."--Michael Fielding, Professor of Education, Institute of Education, University of London

"In an era of standardization, curriculum-narrowing, and high stakes testing, "Alternative Education for the 21st Century" provides thoroughly refreshing perspectives on education. The book is international in scope, and by introducing a wide range of different models of schooling in diverse cultures, it offers the reader fascinating alternatives to the current restrictive trends in education. I recommend this book highly; it has helped to restore my faith in the promise of a meaningful reflective, democr