Posted 2018-03-02

Building SDE Communities

Having a supportive community is one of the most important optimizing conditions for Self-Directed Education. SDE families often meet this need through informal communities: groups of friends and neighbors, special interest groups, etc. Many self-directed learners also partipate in communities that are specifically designed to support SDE, often organized as co-ops, resource centers, learning centers, or schools.

We’ve noticed that a lot of our members are interested in creating one of these more structured SDE communities, and fortunately there are many organizations that can help, so you don’t have to start from scratch. There are online courses offered by AERO, books about starting a Sudbury school, programs for starting a North Star model Liberated Learners Center for teens, and more.

Another organization offering support for SDE community startups is the Agile Learning Centers Network, which offers a free ALC Starter Kit. Our next Ask Me Anything event, on Thursday, March 8th, will feature Tomis Parker from the ALC Network. He was formerly the director of the first ALC in Manhattan, is currently a co-director of the ALC Mosaic school in Charlotte, NC, and is one of the authors of the ALC Starter Kit.

Tomis is looking forward to answering ASDE members’ questions about startups or any SDE topic.

Members who missed the last AMA event, with documentary filmmaker Jeremy Stuart, can read his answers here.

 
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The online magazine from the Alliance for Self-Directed Education, designed to amplify and celebrate the voices of our movement.

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From the Member Forums

Featured Topics:

  • Straddling SDE and School — "My question is about the struggle and tension between believing fully in SDE and the possibility of my kids attending some kind of school in spite of that."
  • Are there lawyers who defend SDE? — "I just read about a mother going through a divorce and fearing that she'll have to make her case for SDE homeschooling to a judge."
  • SDE-Inspired Mobile App — "What ideas do you have? Are there existing examples you would suggest?"

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Tipping Points Magazine amplifies the diverse voices within the Self-Directed Education movement. The views expressed in our content belong solely to the author(s). The Alliance for Self-Directed Education disclaims responsibility for any interpretation or application of the information provided. Engage in dialogue by reaching out to the author(s) directly.

 
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