The Smartest Kids Know Their Options: School Alternatives for Success in the Real World: The Smartest Kids

By Kytka Hilmar-Jezek

"The Smartest Kids Know Their Options: School Alternatives for Success in the Real World" by Kytka Hilmar-Jezek is a comprehensive guide that critically examines traditional schooling while presenting a range of alternative education options. The first half of the book scrutinizes various aspects of traditional schooling, highlighting limitations in classroom learning, homework, age segregation, and test scores. It also traces the history of education, providing insights into the evolution of the current educational structure.

 

In the second half of the book, the focus shifts toward alternative educational approaches. The author advocates for a more practical and child-centered approach to learning, emphasizing the value of storytelling, oral traditions, and fairytales in fostering creativity and imagination. 

"The Smartest Kids Know Their Options: School Alternatives for Success in the Real World" by Kytka Hilmar-Jezek is a comprehensive guide that covers a wide range of topics related to traditional schooling and alternative education options. Beginning with an exploration of the flaws within the education system, the book addresses various aspects such as the teaching system, homework, lectures, classroom learning, and socialization. It delves into the impact of age segregation, the pressure of test scores, and the history of education, including the evolution of American schools and economic factors.

 

The book then shifts its focus to alternative educational approaches, providing readers with insights into various models. Chapters cover progressive education, life-centered education, and the specific methodologies of Waldorf, Montessori, Sudbury, and charter schools. It also examines homeschooling, online schooling, immersion programs, deschooling, and unschooling as viable alternatives. Throughout these chapters, the importance of parental involvement, the concept of the whole child, and the role of curiosity, creativity, and expression in education are emphasized.

 

Readers will find discussions on the importance of play, hands-on learning, storytelling, and the significance of fairytales in fostering children's imagination and development. The book explores the concept of learning disorders and highlights the relevance of understanding a child's temperament in education. It delves into the principles of multiple intelligences, the role of the child's soul, and the concept of freedom within limits.

 

The latter part of the book explores practical considerations and offers guidance for parents, including the role of the parents in their child's education, the future of schools, and strategies for fixing the existing system. The book concludes with a reflection on the ten signs of successful education and provides readers with a curated list of recommended readings.

 

Through its comprehensive exploration of traditional schooling and alternative education options, "The Smartest Kids Know Their Options" empowers parents, educators, and policymakers to make informed decisions about the education of children. It offers valuable insights into the flaws of the current system and presents a wide range of alternatives that prioritize individualized learning, holistic development, and parental involvement.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Distinct Press
• Release date: Nov 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9798223557852

Kytka Hilmar-Jezek

Kytka Hilmar-Jezek writes and speaks about parenting, unschooling, education, entrepreneurship, and natural healing. She's is the author of over 25+ books, owner of 3 publishing houses and has been listed in the Alternative Education Hall of Fame since 1996. Kytka Hilmar-Jezek does not fail to educate, inspire, and provoke her readers. She continues to add interesting books that do a good job of bringing up controversial and thought-provoking subjects relating to health & wellness, parenting, spirituality, and education. When she is not busy globe-trotting and writing with her children, she enjoys preserving old photographs for The Photo Vault.  Visit www.Kytka.us or Google Kytka, you'll find her!

Book preview

The Smartest Kids

Know Their Options

The Smartest Kids

Know Their Options

Kytka Hilmar-Jezek

The Smartest Kids Know Their Options: School Alternatives for Success in the Real World. Copyright © 2023 by Kytka Hilmar-Jezek

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests or information about special discounts or bulk purchases, please contact:

Distinct Press Publishing.

www.distinctpress.com

US+ 727-238-7884

The views expressed in this work are the author's own. They may not reflect the opinions or policies of any organization or individual. The author's personal experiences and opinions are shared for entertainment and educational purposes. Readers are encouraged to form their own conclusions based on the content presented. The author assumes no responsibility for the reader’s actions. References to people, organizations, or events are based on the author's translation, recollection, and/or interpretation. This work does not provide professional advice, and readers should consult experts in relevant fields for guidance.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Hilmar-Jezek, Kytka 1964-

The Smartest Kids Know Their Options: School Alternatives for Success in the Real World / Kytka Hilmar-Jezek

Summary: The Smartest Kids Know Their Options: School Alternatives for Success in the Real World by Kytka Hilmar-Jezek is a comprehensive guide that examines the limitations of traditional schooling and presents a wide range of alternative education options. The book offers insights into students ' challenges, from critiquing the flaws of classroom learning and homework to exploring the benefits of alternative education, homeschooling, deschooling, and unschooling. It provides parents, educators, and policymakers with a roadmap to make informed decisions. – Provided by publisher.

1. Education & Teaching › Teacher Resources › Homeschooling 2. Education & Teaching › Teacher Resources › General 3. Education & Teaching › Teacher Resources › Parent Participation 4. Hilmar-Jezek, Kytka

Education is the art of helping young minds to widen their horizons and to develop the ability to think independently and critically. It is about fostering creativity, curiosity, and a lifelong love for learning.

–Rudolf Steiner

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Going to School

Losing the Practical Classes

The Teaching System

Homework

Lectures

Classroom Learning

Socialization

Liberal Arts

Age Segregation

Test Scores

13 Years of Life

The Use of Time

Elementary

Classmate Influence

Labeling and Medicating

School Hierarchy

The System Is Broken

The History of Education

American Schools

Economic History

Apprenticeship

Zone of Proximal Development

University

Father of Modern Education

Learning All the Time

How Children Learn

The Importance of Play

Using The Hands

The Hurried Child

Storytelling and Oral Traditions

The Importance of Fairytales

Learning Disorder or Temperament

The School of Life

Multiple Intelligences

The Child’s Soul

The Whole Child

Self-Discovery in the Child

Curiosity, Creativity, and Expression

The Concept of Conscientization

Freedom Within Limits

Learning by Doing

Experiential Learning

Scaffolding and Constructivism

Mindset and Motivation

Minimally Invasive Education

Alternatives to School

Progressive Education

Life-Centered Education

Charter Schools

Waldorf Schools

Montessori Schools

Sudbury Schools

The Free Schools

Homeschooling

Online Schooling

Immersion

Deschooling

Hybrid Models

Unschooling

Unschooling Practicality

The Parents Job

The Future of Schools

Fixing the System

The Ten Signs

In Closing

Endnotes

Recommended Reading

About the Author

Acknowledgments

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the following individuals who have played an invaluable role in shaping my journey and inspiring the creation of this book.

First and foremost, I extend special thanks to Jeannine Parvati Baker for her transformative book Conscious Conception, which served as a gateway to my exploration of alternative approaches to parenting. Your insights and wisdom have profoundly influenced my perspective.

I am deeply grateful to Jean Liedloff for her groundbreaking book, The Continuum Concept: In Search Of Happiness Lost. Your work has been an eye-opening and transformative experience for me, as it has illuminated the natural path for my children. Your insights and perspective have been instrumental in shaping my understanding of their needs and fostering a harmonious environment.

I am deeply grateful to Paul Fleiss, a remarkable hands-off pediatrician who went above and beyond by making house calls and providing unwavering support. Your presence and willingness to always be accessible and the delightful dinners featuring produce from your garden have left an indelible mark on my journey. I miss our conversations.

I want to express my gratitude to Joseph Chilton Pearce for the numerous personal letters of encouragement. Your words of wisdom and support arrived at precisely the right moments, giving me the strength and determination to continue charting my own course, even when it felt like I was swimming against the current. Your praise and unwavering support warm my heart to this day.

I also acknowledge Rainbow Rosenbloom, Rahima Baldwin, and Mango Mama for your unwavering cooperation, support, and non-competitive spirit during our time as Waldorf Homeschoolers. Your camaraderie and encouragement have been invaluable over the years.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to my parents, Anna and Milan Hilmar. Your unwavering belief in me and your constant encouragement has been invaluable throughout the process of writing this book. Your steadfast support has given me the strength and inspiration to pursue my passions and embrace a pioneering spirit. The love for freedom and independence you instilled in me from a young age has guided every step of my journey. I am forever grateful for your presence in my life and your profound impact on shaping my beliefs and aspirations. Thank you for being my unwavering support pillar and nurturing the pioneer within me.

Finally, I want to express my deepest gratitude to my beloved Zachary, Zanna, and Zynnia. Your presence in my life has been my anchor, sanctuary, and home, regardless of the paths we traverse. I have learned more from you on this journey than I could ever impart as your teacher. Your unconditional love, understanding, and unwavering faith in me have given me endless strength and inspiration. I am immensely proud of the incredible adults you have become. I am grateful that your childhood was one of true freedom. My love for all of you knows no bounds.

Introduction

We find ourselves entrenched in a collective illusion woven not only by tradition, marketing tactics, and the words of politicians but also deeply ingrained within our very nature. It is a comforting notion, one that simplifies the complexities of the world we inhabit. This illusion is passed down through generations, shaping the thoughts and beliefs we instill in our children and perpetuating the cycle of comforting but ultimately misleading ideas.

One such belief is that attending college is the surest path to a successful career. We encourage our young minds to pursue higher education with the promise that a degree will open doors to endless opportunities. However, the reality is far more nuanced. Many individuals who embark on the journey of higher education are veering away from the specific coursework they studied, their careers taking them on unexpected paths. The knowledge and skills acquired during those years may not directly apply to their chosen profession.

Similarly, we propagate the belief that excelling in high school paves the way for a seamless transition into college. We emphasize the importance of test scores, viewing them as indicators of future success. Yet, success is multifaceted, and a singular measure of academic achievement does not guarantee fulfillment or accomplishment in the broader sense.

History classes often fail to provide a comprehensive understanding of the past in education. The narratives presented can be shallow, biased, and limited in scope, omitting alternative perspectives and diverse experiences. Our understanding of the world and its intricate tapestry of events becomes distorted when we are not exposed to the full breadth of historical truths.

Even the field of medicine, epitomized by noble professions such as nursing, is not exempt from the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Many nurses discover that the skills they acquire in their educational journey must be supplemented with on-the-job training and continued education to meet workplace demands.

The educational system often misses the mark, relying on conventional wisdom and outdated notions of success. We must acknowledge the world's complexity and embrace a more nuanced understanding of education and career paths. By challenging the collective illusion and striving for a more comprehensive and adaptable approach to learning, we can equip future generations with the tools to navigate the intricacies of the ever-evolving world with wisdom and resilience.

During a time when many of my friends' children were embarking on their educational journeys, the illusion of a straightforward path to success was deeply entrenched in our society. It was a period marked by the throes of the 2008 economic crisis, soaring unemployment rates among recent graduates, and the ever-increasing burden of tuition fees. Faced with such circumstances, students were left with a choice: to toil harder within the confines of the existing system, hoping for a brighter future, or to venture into the uncertain realm of carving out their own paths.

Many individuals sought refuge in pursuing higher education in response to these challenges. However, it became increasingly evident that a college degree did not guarantee immediate career opportunities. A stark reality emerged as we encountered baristas armed with academic accolades, doctors not deemed ready to practice until completing years of residency, and millionaires who had achieved their success with nothing more than a high school diploma or, in some cases, even less.

This illusion made our society intoxicated, perpetuating a deep-seated disconnect within education. The fallacy that more education inherently equated to better career prospects had become deeply ingrained, and we obediently followed its misguided path. Test scores bore little relevance to actual career success and became the sole focus of our conversations and assessments.

However, illusions are transient by nature; they cannot sustain indefinitely. The sobering realization has begun to take hold. We are gradually awakening to the correlation between educational attainment, and professional achievement is far more complex than we had been led to believe. The narratives surrounding education and career prospects are undergoing a necessary shift as we recognize the need for a more nuanced understanding of success and a broader range of pathways to fulfillment.

We must challenge the prevailing illusions and engage in critical discourse about the true value of education. We are beginning to question conventional wisdom and seek alternatives that align with individuals' diverse talents, aspirations, and potentials. This collective awakening will pave the way for a more equitable and inclusive educational landscape that empowers individuals to find their own unique paths to success and fulfillment.

In contemporary discourse, there has been a surge of interest in critiquing the state of our education system. Prominent figures like Sir Ken Robinson have garnered millions of views on platforms like YouTube, captivating audiences with their discussions on how schools stifle creativity. This wave of engagement has sparked meaningful conversations among authors, intellectuals, and the general public, igniting a much-needed exploration of our challenges.

However, despite the growing awareness of these issues, effecting meaningful change remains an uphill battle. Politicians continue prioritizing discussions on test scores, dropout rates, and initiatives such as the Common Core standards. In doing so, they often sidestep the difficult questions at the heart of the matter.

We must venture into uncomfortable territory to address the pressing concerns in education. The purpose of education, for instance, extends far beyond mere career success. We must critically examine what our current system is fostering and promoting. We perpetuate a broken system that yields far-reaching consequences by clinging to an outdated and ineffective model.

To chart a new course, we must confront the ramifications of this broken system head-on. This requires a comprehensive analysis of the consequences it imposes on individuals and society. Additionally, we must explore practical solutions to rectify these consequences and prevent their recurrence in future educational systems.

Ultimately, we must acknowledge the inherent uncertainty of the future. No one can definitively predict the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. However, by engaging in these difficult discussions and fostering a culture of inquiry and innovation, we can cultivate an education system better equipped to navigate the complexities of an ever-changing world. Through these collective efforts, we can strive to create a more inclusive, adaptable, and meaningful educational experience for future generations.

In our academic journey, we explore the rich history of education in America and beyond, meticulously examining the values that have shaped different eras and the corresponding systems that have emerged. Through this critical lens, we shall endeavor to discern the contemporary values perpetuating our failing system, acknowledging that such discussions are often accompanied by controversy.

To truly comprehend our current shortcomings, we must diligently dissect how we fail and tirelessly question the underlying reasons for these failures. This deep understanding of the problem shall be the foundation for constructing viable and effective solutions.

In our quest for alternatives, we shall venture into the annals of history, studying the diverse educational models that have existed or continue to exist. Through careful analysis, we shall seek to understand why certain approaches were embraced in the past and why they may have been discarded over time. Exploring these alternative paths can broaden our perspective and open us to innovative possibilities.

Moreover, we must conscientiously craft a new set of goals for education that align with the current geopolitical and economic landscape. The world is ever-evolving, and our educational system must adapt accordingly. As we delve into the complexities of the present, we shall endeavor to design a system responsive to change, embracing the unexpected and anticipating future transformations. In doing so, we can safeguard against the repetition of past failures, ensuring that the collective efforts invested in rectifying our course today do not burden the generations to come.

In this historical and forward-looking journey, we shall confront challenges, engage in intellectual discourse, and strive for a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of education. By embracing this endeavor with open minds and a commitment to progress, we can lay the groundwork for a more enlightened and effective educational system that empowers individuals and prepares them to thrive in an ever-changing world.

In our quest for educational reform, we must thoroughly examine how our current system falls short. By dissecting these failures and seeking to understand their underlying causes, we can lay the groundwork for effective and lasting solutions.

This analysis process requires a deep understanding of the complexities and intricacies of our educational system. We must question the prevailing assumptions, structures, and practices contributing to its shortcomings. By delving into the root causes of these deficiencies, we can identify the systemic issues that need to be addressed.

In parallel with this critical examination, we must also explore alternative approaches to education. By studying historical and contemporary models, we can broaden our perspective and gain valuable insights into what has worked, what hasn't, and why certain methods and philosophies have been embraced or discarded. This exploration should encompass a range of educational systems, from traditional models to progressive and innovative approaches.

Based on this comprehensive understanding, we must forge a new educational goal that aligns with the current geopolitical and economic landscape. The needs of society, the demands of the job market, and the changing dynamics of the globalized world should all inform the development of these goals. By aligning our educational objectives with the present realities, we can better prepare students for the challenges and opportunities they will encounter in their lives and careers.

Furthermore, as we envision a transformed educational system, we must design it to be adaptable and responsive to the ever-evolving world. The pace of change in today's society is unprecedented, and we must anticipate and embrace the unexpected. By cultivating a flexible and dynamic system, we can ensure that education remains relevant and effective in preparing future generations for the uncertainties and complexities of the future.

Ultimately, our commitment to rectifying the failures of our current education system should be driven by a sense of responsibility to future generations. We must act today to address the inadequacies and limitations of our system, lest we burden our children's children with the same challenges and deficiencies. By embracing the task of transformation and preparing for the unknown, we can shape an educational landscape that equips individuals with the skills, knowledge, and adaptability necessary to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Going to School

As we contemplate the purpose of sending children to school, we are confronted with the remarkable amount of time they spend within the educational system. Over 13 years, students embark on 2380 schooling days, amounting to more than 14,000 hours spent in classrooms. Such a substantial investment of time holds the potential for individuals to achieve mastery in various fields. However, our educational focus primarily revolves around acquiring a broad liberal arts education, encompassing a range of subjects and emphasizing general knowledge and skills.

This education approach aims to increase the option value in an individual's life, offering them a multitude of paths to explore. Paradoxically, this broad-based education fails to equip individuals with the specialized skills necessary to excel in any particular field and be of substantial value to organizations. It embodies the age-old adage of being a jack of all trades but master of none.

Certainly, there are significant costs associated with prematurely limiting individuals' options through specialization. By advocating against early specialization, we propose investing additional time in education that may prove to be frivolous for those who eventually specialize in a specific domain. This distribution of wasted time affects students across the country, resulting in mechanics taking art classes they may never need or artists acquiring math skills they are likely to forget and never employ in their artistic pursuits.

Our educational system places a significant emphasis on ensuring that graduates are well-rounded and possess high proficiency in core subjects such as math, science, reading, and writing, without a strong emphasis on any particular specialization. While this approach aims