In the fast-pace, high-pressure world of education one expects that kids everywhere are maintaining about the same level of intensity when it comes to their classwork and studies.  Accountability, responsibility, and test-pass-ability are important factors in both public and private schools.  Certainly the approach may vary from site to site but, in general, kids everywhere are facing the high expectations and demands of 21st century learning.  Or are they?

After reading an article in the New York Times about a school called the Manhattan Free School, I'm not so sure anymore.  Click here to read the article for yourself.  Basically, the name says it all.  While the school itself is not free, the thinking, planning, and learning are.  Students direct the learning, if they want to, and teachers are essentially there to facilitate.  The concept is driven by the thought that students will direct their own learning if given the opportunity.

I don't know about you, but I can't imagine paying to send my kids to this kind of "school".  Educations strongest critics say that public school teachers are just babysitters, well according to the article, I'm not even sure you can accuse the Free School teachers of this.  Rather than teaching children the value of hard-work and self-discipline, it seems that they are encouraging self-indulgence and slothfulness.  What great traits to instill!