JOYFUL LEARNING

A manifesto for parents.

This is a book about “education entrepreneurship”—the development of models for teaching and learning that go outside the traditional schoolroom and innovate in the cognitive and social development of children. Written with zeal, the book encourages parents to play a larger role in their children’s education. The author lays out learning outcomes as socially driven: “I want a happier, more joyful learning environment for my child.…I want a more customized, personalized academic experience.…I want my child to be respected as an individual.” Through a series of case studies, the book traces the success of several educational entrepreneurs. Some are home-schoolers. Some are technologists of learning. Some are teachers who have set up their own institutions. “To shatter the collective illusions surrounding education, parents should be honest and upfront about their desire for difference in education.” Some may question the premises and motives of this book. Is education like a Silicon Valley startup? Are schools “small businesses?” Are students “stakeholders?” Should parents “market” their success? Anyone who cares about public education and content-based curricula will be impatient with this book. But parents who have found local schools lacking in support may be inspired to take teaching into their own hands. It may be easy to parody this book’s narratives: “Jen’s story of building a school that intentionally integrates neurodiverse and neurotypical students is one example of how entrepreneurial parents and teachers are taking the initiative to create community-based learning solutions for children whose identities, experiences, or educational needs are not being met in traditional schools.” What’s harder is to ask ourselves, what is school for these days?

A welcome if controversial call for parents to take control of their children’s education.