Organizations

Coalition of Essential Schools
http://www.essentialschools.org/
A network of schools that subscribe to the CES Common Principles, which include personalized instruction, small schools and classes, democratic policies and practices, and community partnerships.

The Education Revolution: The Alternative Education Resource Organization (AERO)
http://www.educationrevolution.org/
The Alternative Education Resource Organization (AERO) is "a non-profit organization founded in 1989 to advance learner-centered approaches to education". There is information about related schools, and books and magazines.

Freedom 2be Natural Learners
http://www.f2be.com/
This web site "hopes to help challenge current perceptions about what education is all about. It suggests that the old systems are no longer relevant to today's technological society and that education should increasingly be about valuing learning, thinking and feeling abilities over the simple acquisition of knowledge". The site includes many articles and links to organisations and schools which share these values.

International Association for Learning Alternatives (IALA)
http://www.learningalternatives.net/
This organisation is interested "in seeing that parents and students have choices of educational programs to meet their needs, interests, learning styles and intelligences". The site has a variety of articles to this end and information about IALA's annual conference.

International Democratic Education Network (IDEN)
http://www.idenetwork.org/
The International Democratic Education Network (IDEN) is a network of schools and individuals that upholds ideals such as respect, equality of children and adults, freedom of choice, and democratic governance.

National Coalition of Alternative Community Schools (USA)
http://www.ncacs.org/
National Coalition of Alternative Community Schools wants to "unite and organize a grassroots movement of learners and learning communities dedicated to participant control, liberation from all forms of oppression, and the pursuit of freedom."

People for Education
http://www.peopleforeducation.com/
A group that describes itself as "working together to support public education in Ontario's English, French and Catholic schools". The group surveys current educational issues in the province and works to support schools and school boards to improve education.

Brains.org
http://brains.org
The website for people involved in the education and parenting of brains of all ages.