Research shows that students gain positive benefits from democratic education

Some people think that democratic schools can’t possibly work.

Many adults I talk to about democratic schools flip out or get downright rude if you don’t subscribe to a one-size fits all educational system. Turns out, a lot of people don’t think youth are capable of free thought or learning without coercion.  Worse, many think that youth don’t deserve the same respect as adults and that there’s no way young people can participate in decision making processes at school (or elsewhere).

However, research says that democratic education is really beneficial for kids.

Democratic education offers major benefits for youth:

A study completed in 2006 (pdf) by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and the Carnegie UK Trust found that students in democratic schools…

• Were happier and said they felt more in control of their learning.
• Exhibited enhanced communication skills and higher learning competency skills.
• Had better overall behavior patterns.
• Felt more listened to by their teachers – or staff.
• Were more confident and had higher self-esteem.
• Improved their skills in specific curriculum areas such as citizenship, as well as in other curriculum areas.

One of the most telling results of this study was that when students were given power in how their school was run, they felt they could influence events positively and had a greater sense of direction of their own lives.

CDC research agrees – democratic education is good:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) completed a long-term national study of more than 36,000 adolescents and found that school connectedness makes for the healthiest youth. By healthiest, the CDC means kids who manage to avoid stuff like substance use, early sexual initiation, violence, and unintentional injuries (such as drinking and driving or not wearing seat belts).

The CDC study resulted in a report, School Connectedness: Strategies for Increasing Protective Factors Among Youth that identifies six-evidence-based strategies that schools should use to help students feel more connected to their school, thus increasing the likelihood that they’ll be healthier and safer. Some of those strategies include:

1. Schools need decision-making processes in place that facilitate student, family and community engagement and staff empowerment.
2. Schools should provide opportunities that allow families to be actively involved in their children’s school life.
3. Schools need to build trusting and caring relationships that promote open communication among administrators, teachers, staff, students, families and communities.

All of the above are traits found readily in democratic schools. Other research also shows the same results. When you give youth respect and power over their lives, including their education, positive, far-reaching benefits occur. However, most public and other conventional schools don’t have the means or time to offer such dynamic choices for youth.

If you’re looking for a better, more positive education choice for your child, it’s hard to beat a good democratic school.

Tagged as: alternative education, best schools, confident youth, Democratic Education, democratic education research, democratic schools, healthy kids, safe schools