EMOs: TesseracT
TESSERACT, formerly known as Education Alternatives Inc. (EAI), initially gained renown for its contracts with the Baltimore and Hartford school districts. After failing to demonstrate it had reached its original goals, TesseracT had both of its contracts canceled, though they continue to run its flagship school in Eagan, Minnesota. TesseracT's methods are based on a broad liberal arts curriculum integrated with authentic assessment, a technique of using real-world examples as much as possible to keep the curricula relevant to students. Student instruction places a strong emphasis on computer-based lessons, though students are provided with opportunities to learn based on whatever medium they are comfortable with.Another major TesseracT principal is the concept of learning centers. Teachers creates learning centers in their classrooms in order to give each room a personality suited best for the students in it. According to TesseracT, "No classrooms are the same, no school day repeats the one before." Student-to-teacher ratios are kept low, with ratios of 10:1 for preschool and 12:1 for elementary and middle school. TesseracT has also encourages interaction between students, parents and teachers in strategies known as Personal Education Plan. At the beginning of a school year, each student sets individualized goals with their teachers and parents. Over the course of the year, the plan will include a variety of activities, including ongoing parent-teacher-student conferences, formal and informal self-assessments and portfolio development. At the school-wide level, TesseracT promotes strong parent involvement through a regular schedule of open houses, student-planned events, and celebrations.
I'd like to examine other reform styles.
