Of the ten major goals of schooling (basic academic skills, critical thinking and problem solving, social skills and work ethic, readiness for citizenship and community responsibility, foundation for lifelong physical and emotional health, appreciation of the arts and literature, and preparation for work) only two or three areas are systematically assessed. We’re left to guess about the rest with considerable doubt about their achievement. In addition, national measures, such as they are, show the familar gap between black and white students.

This thought-provoking double-spaced 27 page report will be a foundation for an upcoming book.

Beyond this, non-subject based schools have allowed and encouraged students to select any topic that interests them. That is usually done is through a program of project-based learning promoted by EdVisions and the book, Passion For Learning. One example: a junior high student selected skateboarding. That led to wanting to establish a skateboarding park in the community. That involved discussions with city government, zoning laws and costs. The student examined other skateboard parks, drew up estimates, calculated costs, created drawings and in the process learned about construction, physics, graphics, writing, mathematics, civics and research. Motivation for school went from zero to 100 in weeks. Democratic schools, some homeschoolers and unschoolers are generally familiar with this approach.

The world’s leading center for personalized education is the Centre for Personalized Education located Bramcote, England. They publish a newsletter, Personalized Education Now and unremittingly support students in what they will study, how and when believing that greater motivation, broader learning, deeper learning, and lifelong learning will result. Provides links to numerous related organizations including the Educational Heretics Press with important radical education books.They also have a delightful, powerful 4 minute annimation of the key points and contrasts between personalized and conventional education.

Another fine source is the University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for School Mental Health Analysis and Action. They also have an email signup that’s free.