Schools of thought

I went on the collest field trip today. In my master's program we visited schools that differ from typical public schools that most of us probably went to . We first went to Aurora West Middle, a school that politicians would call a "failing school" because many of their students do not meet criteria based on No Child Left Behind Act. Sadly, it may become a school that will be run by a private educational company after the state takes control. We visited this school because of the amazing teaching happening inside, and the neglected satistics that the school, while not passing state benchmarks, does have significant student improvement. Case in point, in one seventh grade class, all the students had jumped three reading level from last year, a significant gain. But when seventh graders who read at a third grad level jump to a sixth grade level in one year, they're still not at standard.
We then visited a dual language catholic school that is doing amazing things teaching in English and Spanish. Their beginning kindergarten classe are expected to be fluent in both written and spoken English and Spanish by third grade. Unfortunatly, because the tests are given only in English, and 50% of their students are from Spanish speaking homes, they two are considered a failing school.
The Logan School, are next visit on the "tour de schools" is a private elementary school which only admits students with a 130+ IQ. Obviouly this school has no problems with it's reputation, but the teaching their is amazing. Students are asked "what do you want to learn about?" and the student finds something that interest them. Then their teachers help them them to create an individual learning plan to study their chosen area. Granted, the school already started with geniuses, but it allowes the studetns theto research and discover for themselves their own interests. It a wonderful setting that the children are responsible for their own learning and learn through their own guided exploration.
And finally, the most interesting school was an alternative high school for students still seeking their diploma, but didn't function in the Cherry Creek system (and any cool person I can think of wouldn't "fit" in any Cherry Creek school ;-)kitty). I had to wonder while I was at the alternative school why it reminded me so much of the the Logan School. I think It was because an overwhelming majority of their students were marked at one time as "gifted and talented" but their learning styles didn't mesh with conventional high school methods. I really liked this School and really liked the kids (they were really witty, clever, and weren't shy about their opinions.) I think I may want to student teach here. Am I glutton for punishment or what?