Self Directed Education: A Basic Definition

Marley Richards (age 12) helps us see education from from a child's perspective.

Here's how Self-Directed Education works. 

The Spokane Learning Co-op is a member-run, member-centered learning community. Our Co-op is ideal for any student or families interested in cultivating truly happy, confident, self-directed young adults.

We provide diverse, self-directed learning experiences through innovative classes, dedicated mentors, and an autonomous, dynamic community.

The most valuable opportunity we offer members is the time and space to discover who they are. Members have time to be, to think, to talk, to play, to discover what they enjoy and appreciate. This is where the real beauty of self-directed education lies and where the most important learning usually takes place. They get to discover who they are now... instead of needing to go find themselves later.

Unlike conventional schools, Self Directed Education centers do not use coercion or manipulation tactics. We do not use any of the strategies that destroy intrinsic motivation: imposed curriculum, tests, or grades.

We prioritize mental health and an understanding of child development. That means that, unlike conventional schools, we don't force kids to do things that are developmentally absurd.

Staff act as mentors who help provide support and help to solve problems.

Members develop the skills and qualities necessary to become successful adults.

Let's give our kids everything they need to succeed. They are our future. They will be facing unprecedented decisions that we can't even imagine. They need nothing less than our very best.

More about Consent in Education

From the 2005 Resolution of the 13th International Democratic Education Conference (IDEC)

Sociocracy

We make our own rules so that they work for all of us.

Common Questions

What if I am not sure if my child can handle the amount of personal freedom and responsibility at the Spokane Learning Co-op?

Members at the Spokane Learning Co-op are in charge of their own education, which means balancing freedom and responsibility. Students are expected to sign in and out every day, do chores, participate in the weekly school meeting,  be able to follow Co-op rules, and exist peaceably with the other members of the Co-op.

Many adults are surprised at how well most children, in this environment, rise to meet these expectations. We expect a transition period when a young person transfers to the Spokane Learning Co-op, and maintain open communication with families during this time, so that any issues with transitioning can be addressed.

However, as with any school, sometimes the Spokane Learning Co-op is not a good fit for a particular young person. Learn more about which children do best at similar learning environments.

What type of behavior plan do you use?

A huge part of our learning center is community building. We form authentic, mutually respectful relationships with each other. We recognize all behavior is communication.

Rules are created at the Opening Circle and are carried out by the youth members. If a member is breaking a rule or intentionally harming/harassing another member, a staff or member will bring up the issue at the following Opening Circle. Youth members and staff members will listen carefully, determine if a rule was broken, and decide what the consequence would be. We try to stick to consequences that relate to the behavior. For example: A student who leaves out trash might have to do an extra chore for the day.

Will my child be safe?

Many parents have expressed that they feel their kids are safer in this type of learning environment than in other environments. Thanks to our focus on community building, our young people have a low tolerance for perceived bullying and a high acceptance of others. While interpersonal conflicts are always going to arise, the day-to-day stresses of being in many conventional compulsory school settings are not there.

Members are also responsible for each other. Instead of letting another person get hurt, make a bad choice, break a rule, etc., they will intervene or get a staff member for help. However, we do encourage our members to play, climb, run, jump, skip, and scramble as much as they want. Bumps, bruises, and skinned knees are definitely possible.

What about discipline? Can the children just run wild all day?

Of course there are rules and boundaries. They are created by our Meeting and broadly fall into two categories - respect for others and respect for the Co-op building, grounds, and reputation.

Our school’s sociocratic approach ensures that issues which arise are handled by peers (members and staff members alike) in an open and fair way. Cooperation and understanding are reached when all members of the community work together to create an environment of trust and support.

To be clear, the Spokane Learning Co-op prioritizes (in descending order):

1. Safety. Safety is more important than anything.

2. Respect for Human Rights. Our center models respect for oneself and one's peers. Personal boundaries and property rights are strictly enforced.

3. Learning & Exploration. Unstructured play introduces and reinforces life lessons. Staff members are available as resources to all students.

We're Better Together

As a co-op, parents play an important role.

A parent's main job at the Spokane Learning Co-op is to be a resource for the students and to make sure the center is running appropriately, properly, and legally. Parents must pass a criminal background check.

Parents perform a diverse set of roles from supervising play, listening to students, guiding inquiry, cleaning the bathroom, mediating interpersonal issues, and otherwise serving in any way the kids need. We ask that parents to try not to intervene while kids are working out their conflict amongst themselves as we do not want to deprive them of these important learning experiences. 

When it comes to matters of safety, we try to discern between Risk and Hazard. It is important for children to learn to navigate Risk: it is safer to learn how to navigate Risk than it is to not learn how to navigate Risk. We try to avoid intervening in cases of Risk. For example, a Risk might include a child carrying heavy tires to the top of our straw bale pyramid. We do want to intervene in cases of a true Hazard. For example, a Hazard might include a child who has taken off their shoes and is about to step on a nail. 

Parents also work independently to improve the co-op. A common way parents do this is by sharing their experiences with other parents, both in-person and online in the local Facebook homeschooling groups. Your stories matter, and they help our community grow. Parents might also offer to help out in other ways, for example, donating or otherwise procuring things we need for the Co-op. Some examples include donating building supplies, craft supplies, books, and grocery staples. Helping out might also include picking up items from around town from Facebook Marketplace.

How is the Spokane Learning Co-op different from other local co-ops in terms of parent requirements?

• Unlike other local co-ops that require parents to teach a class, we do not. You are, however, free to offer an Offering. This is an activity, game, craft, etc., that you prepare in advance and offer to the group at the beginning of a session. There is no minimum or maximum requirement for the number of times you do this, or even if you do it at all. You do not have to sign up for a day to do this; you simply do it when you want to do it.

• Unlike other local co-ops that require parents to sign a Statement of Faith, we do not. If you believe in Self Directed Education, you are welcome here. We just might be the most diverse and inclusive alternative education option in Spokane.

• Unlike other local co-ops that require parents to stay on site the whole time, every time, regardless of your child's age, we provide more flexibility. If your child is under the age of 5, we ask you to stay on-site while your child is here. If your child is 5 or older, we ask that you stay on site for 25% of your child's enrolled hours. For example, if your child comes once a week, we ask you to stay once a month to help us fulfill adult:child ratios. Many parents have asked if they may stay on-site every time. The answer is yes. Your comfort and your child's comfort is important. You may stay for as long as it takes for you and your child to feel comfortable transitioning to a drop-off situation, if that is something you decide to do. You and your child are free to move at your own pace with this.

Our Youth are Inheriting a World We Cannot Begin to Imagine

That's why we don't limit learning to State Requirements.

Just as there are no standard children, there is no standardized list of what all members learn. It would be impossible to come up with such a list for all members. 

They will learn at their own pace the things that are relevant and interesting to them. These things are often signs of their own unique inner genius. We give them the time, space, materials, and support so that they can develop the thing they were born to do.

They will learn many other things too, often without even realizing it. Academic skills are learned as a natural by-product of pursuing their interests.

As a full-time Washington State Approved School, we will work with each member to meet all of the state requirements. Members who choose to complete the requirements will receive a diploma. Anyone who wants to go to college can go to college. Or perhaps your child would rather start a business, travel the world, or take on the biggest challenges facing the world today. 

The structure of the Spokane Learning Co-op means that opportunities to learn how to live a successful life are build in. These abilities include:

• communication skills

• negotiation skills

• Problem solving skills

• respect for human rights

• how to communicate productively with other people, even if you don't agree with them

• empathy

• conflict resolution

• the sociocratic process for ensuring that all voices are heard

• their ability to use their own agency and ability to affect the world around them

What is a Typical Day at the Spokane Learning Co-op like?

There really is no typical day at the Spokane Learning Co-op. We do have a general flow. All students participate in our morning meeting where we discuss events for the day or any important news for the entire school community. We have our Meeting once a week.

The rest depends on the individual person. Open discussion, reading, doing art, building, and making music are some common activities we've observed at similar educational centers. Sometimes members ask adults to teach specific lessons or courses.

For a younger member, their day may look like a lot of exuberant play, social skills development, and time for free exploration with some staff or peer-led classes or activities that have been requested by the members.

Sometimes our middle/high school-aged members like to have a schedule of activities and classes that meet each week (such as Book Club, Mythology, Theater, Dance, Science, etc), but often they enjoy the flexibility to pursue their own interests. However, the schedule is always flexible and always changing. If a class is a flop, we take it off the schedule and try something different. If members think another project or activity is more important at that moment than a particular class, they will work on that instead.

There is no requirement that a member attend all or any of the activities provided, so members may spend days working on an art project, practicing for a recital, or reading a really good book. 

Real Learning by doing Real Things

We collaborate to create classes based on Member interests.

Here are some ideas to get you started...

At Our Heart, We're a Community

And we work hard to make our community culture strong.

We recognize that most of us did not grow up learning in-depth relational skills centered around peace and collaboration. To that end, we intentionally and regularly participate in courses, workshops, and circles designed to help us get better and better at having mutually healthy relationships with other people.

We offer three classes for all members: Non-Violent Communication, Alternatives to Violence, and Sociocratic Decision Making.

We ask that parents also take these classes to help them understand and uphold our goal of creating a peaceful culture that respects each person.