Horace’s Compromise By Theodore R. Sizer

Sizer’s Research Sizer’s reflection on a five-year study of high schools Toured rural, urban, public, and private high schools Interviewed teachers, students, and administrators Observed classrooms Followed students through their daily routines

SCHOOL COULD BE A POWERFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCE, BUT ITS STRUCTURE INTERFERES. TESTS: According to Sizer, high stakes tests do little, if anything, to encourage genuine intellectual development because how a student arrives at an answer is more important than the answer itself. Sizer believes that “schools that always insist on the right answer, with no concern as to how a student reaches it, smother the student’s efforts to become an effective intuitive thinker” (105). ELECTIVES: Sizer strongly objects to elective classes since students select from optional courses (foreign languages, art, photography, etc.) which distract from the core curriculum. CLASS SIZE: Sizer believes that the amount of students per teacher limits the education students receive from their teachers because for every one teacher they have about 25 students per hour to worry about. SCHEDULING: Sizer claims that the standard 50-minute classroom block used in scheduling limits the depth of teaching and learning in classrooms, especially when you take into consideration the amount of time it takes the teacher to take attendance or for the PA system to finish its announcements. PA SYSTEM: If a teacher is explaining a new concept and the PA system turns on, students can easily lose focus and forget what the teacher is explaining.

Horace’s Compromise (Click on the above picture) A video that emphasizes some of the important ideas discussed throughout the book.

Founded in 1984 by Ted Sizer

The Common Principles The Coalition was founded on nine "Common Principles" that were intended to categorize Sizer's insights from Horace's Compromise and the views and beliefs of others in the organization. These original principles were: 1)Learning to use one's mind welluse one's mind well 2)Less is More, depth over coverage 3)Goals apply to all studentsGoals apply to all students 4)Personalization 5)Student-as-worker, teacher-as-coachStudent-as-worker, teacher-as-coach 6)Demonstration of mastery 7)A tone of decency and trust 8)Commitment to the entire school 9)Resources dedicated to teaching and learning 10) Democracy and equity (added in the 90’s)

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