Learn more, get inspired.

These are links to informative, inspiring, and otherwise helpful websites
and blogs for those interested in alternative education in general.

Alliance for Self-Directed Education

ASDE is dedicated to informing people about the benefits of, and methods for, allowing children and adolescents to direct their own education. The Alliance brings together organizations and individuals who are already actively promoting and enabling Self-Directed Education (SDE) and recognizes that there are many ways to practice and support SDE, including several varieties of SDE-aligned schools, learning centers, and homeschooling.

Alternative Education Resource Organization (AERO)

Advancing student-driven, learner-centered approaches to education throughout the United States and beyond

Carol Black

A collection of thoughtful, beautiful essays by Carol Black on education, including the widely republished “A Thousand Rivers: What the Modern World Has Forgotten about Children and Learning.” Black is a filmmaker, writer, and eloquent advocate for self-directed education. On her website you can also learn about and view the documentary film Schooling the World: The White Man's Last Burden.

Coalition of Essential Schools

At the forefront of creating and sustaining personalized, equitable, and intellectually challenging schools

Colleges That Change Lives

CTCL is dedicated to the advancement and support of a student-centered college search process that does not rely on mainstream college rankings. It is a leading advocate on the subject of higher education access and college choice. In addition to the resources available through its website, CTCL offers printed materials, college fairs, and other supports to students, families, college counselors, schools, and education agencies.

Consortium for Innovative Environments in Learning

CIEL is a working group of 12 institutions and programs in higher education that trace their roots to the best of innovative and reform practice in American higher education. Members are different but all deeply and richly student-centered in their practices. Their commitment is to discover the best means to produce engaged life-long learners and thoughtful citizens.

Education Reimagined

A growing community leading the movement toward a future in which learner-centered education is available to every child, regardless of background or circumstance.

Human Scale Education

An education reform movement committed to small-scale learning communities based on the values of democracy, justice, and respect

Innovation Playlist

Videos and other resources that help schools take small steps leading to big, positive, informed change, drawing on best practices from outstanding educators and nonprofits from across the country. An initiative of author, philanthropist, and learner-centered education activist Ted Dintersmith.

Institute for Democratic Education in America (IDEA)

A national nonprofit organization that advances democratic education: learning that equips every human being to participate fully in a healthy democracy

The MindShift Guide to Understanding Dyslexia

A 41-page PDF, free to print or download, by MindShift reporter Holly Korbey, designed to help parents and educators better understand dyslexia, recognize it, and support learners who struggle with it

Montessori

The International Montessori Index: created to provide detailed comparative information to help in the search for a school or training center; also includes history and philosophy of the Montessori movement

North American Reggio Emilia Alliance

Envisioning a world where all children are honored and respected for their potential, capabilities, and humanity

Sir Ken Robinson

An internationally recognized and beloved author and leader in the development of education, creativity, and innovation (see his TED talks!)

Summerhill School

The original alternative "free" school, founded by A.S. Neill in 1921; still an influential model for progressive, democratic education around the world (Suffolk, England)