Self-Directed Education (SDE) is education that derives from the self-chosen activities and life experiences of the person being educated. It is rooted in the b
Global
Self-Directed Education (SDE) is education that derives from the self-chosen activities and life experiences of the person being educated. It is rooted in the belief that children are biologically designed to educate themselves through the natural drives of curiosity, playfulness, sociability, and planfulness.
Self-Directed Education (SDE) is education that derives from the self-chosen activities and life experiences of the person being educated. It is rooted in the belief that children are biologically designed to educate themselves through the natural drives of curiosity, playfulness, sociability, and planfulness.
Year Adopted: 2016
Early Childhood (Ages 0-6), Middle Childhood (Ages 7-12), Adolescence (Ages 13-18)
Engage in oral storytelling and active listening within a rich linguistic environment.
Key skills: Vocabulary acquisition, Narrative structure, Auditory processingRecognize that symbols, signs, and letters carry meaning in the local culture.
Key skills: Letter recognition, Print awareness, Visual discriminationAcquire reading and writing skills through immersion in personal interests and cultural tools.
Key skills: Decoding, Fluency, Written expression, Information retrievalFormulate questions and seek information from varied sources (books, digital media, experts).
Key skills: Research, Source evaluation, Inquiry-based learningCommunicate complex ideas effectively to diverse audiences for personal or community goals.
Key skills: Public speaking, Persuasive writing, Digital literacyCritically analyze and evaluate the intent, bias, and impact of various media forms.
Key skills: Critical thinking, Fact-checking, SynthesisExplore mathematical concepts through physical play, building, and sorting.
Key skills: Counting, Patterning, Spatial awareness, GeometryUtilize mathematical operations to solve real-world problems (e.g., cooking, gaming, budgeting).
Key skills: Arithmetic, Measurement, Logic, Problem-solvingApply higher-level mathematical logic to specialized fields of interest (e.g., coding, engineering, finance).
Key skills: Algebraic thinking, Statistical analysis, Algorithmic logicObserve and interact with the natural world using all five senses.
Key skills: Observation, Classification, Nature connectionConduct informal experiments and tinker with tools to understand cause and effect.
Key skills: Hypothesizing, Testing, Analysis, Technical literacyDeepen knowledge in specific scientific domains through self-initiated projects or mentorship.
Key skills: Systems thinking, Data interpretation, Ethical inquiryNavigate social relationships and understand the roles of individuals within a family or group.
Key skills: Empathy, Conflict resolution, Social cuesParticipate in group decision-making and understand the concept of collective responsibility.
Key skills: Consensus building, Civic engagement, Rule-makingSituate personal interests and current events within broader historical and global frameworks.
Key skills: Historical analysis, Cultural competency, Political literacyIdentify personal goals and determine the resources needed to achieve them.
Key skills: Goal setting, Resource management, InitiativeEvaluate one's own progress and adjust strategies based on feedback and results.
Key skills: Self-assessment, Resilience, MetacognitionSDE is implemented by providing 'Optimizing Conditions' rather than a curriculum. These include: 1. Responsibility for education lies with the child. 2. Unlimited time to play and explore. 3. Access to the tools of the culture. 4. Access to a variety of caring adults who are helpers, not judges. 5. Free age-mixing. 6. A stable, moral, supportive community.
Assessment in SDE is primarily internal and formative. Learners evaluate their own progress based on their personal goals. External assessment is typically only used if requested by the learner (e.g., for college entrance) or if required by local jurisdictional laws for homeschoolers.
This standard was generated using AI with grounded search to find official, accurate information. While we strive for accuracy, please verify important details with official sources.
This content was generated by AI using official sources. If you notice any errors or have suggestions for improvement, please let us know.
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