by Ken Danford | Jan 22, 2023 | self-directed learning
I’m ready to pick up where my book left off, considering ways to make self-directed learning more widely available to students and families. In my final chapter, “Modern Education Reform: Where Does North Star Fit In?”, I reviewed several tracks for expanding our...
by Ken Danford | Jan 9, 2023 | self-directed learning
Since the 1990s, North Star members have been attending community college during their teen years. This program of Dual Enrollment has increased dramatically across the country, and now a surprisingly large portion of community college students are younger people....
by Ken Danford | Nov 25, 2022 | self-directed learning
On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, the North Star crew was at it again! This year they made 40 pies for the Amherst Survival Center’s Thanksgiving Meal. The “Bake-a-Thon” was our very first fundraiser in 1996, and remains a valued moment in our annual calendar. In...
by Ken Danford | Nov 10, 2022 | self-directed learning
North Star’s mission is to make school optional for any interested teen in the Pioneer Valley. Now, just for a tough minute, imagine if the mission were “to make school optional for any interested teen in the Pioneer Valley whose family can pay $10,000 per year.” It...
by Ken Danford | Oct 19, 2022 | self-directed learning
Here’s a fun new book: Joys of Self-Determined Learning: A Collection of Essays, edited by Carlo Ricci and Gina Riley. Spoiler Alert: I have an essay included, entitled “Expanding the Movement: Attracting More People to Self-Directed Learning.” It’s an honor to have a...
by Ken Danford | Oct 11, 2022 | self-directed learning
It’s a new year at North Star, and what I see is Happiness. The best way for me to convey the state of North Star is to briefly introduce you to three of my advisees: Ash, Kai, and Colin. The photos pretty much do the work here! (Thank you to staff member Kim...
