The Modern School Movement traces the efforts made by the Anarchist movement to abolish all forms of authority and usher in a new society through a different form of education. Between 1910 and 1960 anarchists established more than twenty schools in the United States where children might study in an atmosphere of freedom and self-reliance in sharp contrast to the discipline of the traditional classroom. The prominent participants of this movement, including Emma Goldman, Margaret Sanger, Alexander Berkman and Man Ray (...) are discussed. (shrink)

This book is a powerful exposition and critique of the historical context and cultural/philosophical foundations of contemporary mainstream American education.

In this book Joel Spring traces the long tradition of libertarian opposition to established forms of schooling from Rousseau and William Godwin to A.S. Neill and Paulo Freire. He illuminates the central questions that have concerned radical educators: How can teaching encourage independence and self-reliance? Can rigid ideas and ideologies be avoided by radical educators? What is the contradiction between "schooling" and "education"? How does truly libertarian child rearing challenge the family structure? How can real learning free people so they (...) can begin to change the world around them? Spring also discusses the ideas of several figures whose relevance to education is just beginning to be appreciated, including Max Stirner, Franciso Ferrer, Wilhelm Reich, and Tolstoy. Spring concludes with suggestions for what directions radical educational change might now take. (shrink)

A penetrating analysis of the theories of those educators who have shaped and determined the structure, the policies and the practices of American education. Originally published in 1976 by Longman.

Cover -- Half Title -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Original Title Page -- Original Copyright Page -- Table of Contents -- Foreword -- Introduction -- Chronology -- Acknowledgements -- Note on the Text -- The Letters -- 1 Pioneering -- 2 Education -- 3 Daily Life -- 4 Children, Parents and Psychology -- 5 Heroes -- Homer Lane -- Wilhelm Reich -- H.G. Wells -- Henry Miller -- 6 Politics -- 7 Authors, Books and Writing -- 8 Humour (...) -- 9 Fatherhood -- 10 Fame and Recognition -- 11 The American Connection -- 12 The Bomb -- 13 Old Age, Death and Immortality -- Glossary of Names -- People -- Schools -- Index. (shrink)