STUDENT-CENTERED EDUCATION
One of the many shibboleths
current in educational circles is “student-centered education”. While educators
define this concept differently, the general consensus is the most effective
education carefully considers the needs of the individual student and responds
to them within its given framework. The industrial scale and setting of many
schools, however, traditionally has rendered the educational process aloof from
the personal, immersed instead in the logistics of processing: making
proficient readers and test takers, etc.
Dartmoor School provides its
students with a personalized education in a nurturing environment complete with
the opportunities and challenges each student needs to realize fully her or his
individual potential. Therefore, Dartmoor views the discussion of
student-centered education as very promising even if with a sense of ancient
dwellers in a newly “discovered” land. In order for “student-centered education”
to transcend the realm of mere catchwords, schools must embrace the
institutional change necessitated by such a shift in philosophy.
Over the last two decades, Dartmoor
has developed a method responsive to a broad range of learning profiles from
students with ADHD to those with learning disabilities, behavioral issues, and
giftedness. Dartmoor flourishes because the school’s incredible staff believe
unflinchingly in each student’s ability and desire to learn. By leveraging
their strengths and interests, students at Dartmoor overcome obstacles and
build the skills and resilience they need to achieve. There is obviously an intricate
deep structure providing support for students and staff, but the school’s
philosophy remains elegant and pervasive: respect for the student and belief in
her ability to achieve. As a one-to-one school, Dartmoor invests considerably in
the success of each student. Staff spend many hours preparing and adjusting
academic dynamics to ensure the student stays challenged and engaged. This
total commitment to each student will be necessary as traditional schools
implement changes toward a more student-centered environment.
Bill Gates recently commented at
the NAIS Annual Conference that one-to-one education is the ideal format. At
Dartmoor, we wholeheartedly agree. Short of this, student-centered learning
could provide a revitalization of traditional education dynamics by focusing on
what matters most: each and every student.
