 Open Classroom › Teachers are not “dictators,” students do not follow a standardized curriculum, NO REPORT CARDS (competition not a good motivator)  Cooperative learning › Students study in groups, teachers act as a guide (not in front of the class most of the time), focus on teamwork (cooperation)

 Integrative Curriculum › Curriculum created by students & teachers, subjects focused around themes, hands-on learning  Traditional › Reading, writing, arithmetic (math) › Focus on standardized tests, longer days, more homework, strict discipline

 Lowest: › Utah: $6,212 (2011)  Highest: › New York: $19,076 (2011)  Tracking: › Placing students in programs according to their academic ability

 Voucher System  Charter School  Magnet School  For-profit School

 Families given gov’t money to spend on the school of their choice (private/religious)  Money would be the same that would otherwise be spent on public schools; any other costs is responsibility of family  Public schools competing, must improve their services  13 states & Washington, D.C.

 Publicly funded schools that are operated like private schools  Make their own curriculum, not required to have same set-up/classes as public schools  Success dependent on committed teachers, principles, and parents  ~6400 in the US

 Public schools specializing in a certain subject/area › Ex: performing arts, sciences, math, tech schools

 Supported by gov’t money but ran by private companies  Based on business practices (efficiency, productivity, cost effectiveness)