"The progressive school teaches the child to think for himself instead of passively accepting stereotyped ideas.  It keeps always in mind that each child is different from every other, and that what makes an educated person useful in his particular walk of life, what makes him interesting, what makes him an individual, is not his resemblance to other people, but his differences."

Progressive education began in the early 1920s and had a strong, though sporadic, impact on American education.  Inspired by the writings of John Dewey, these schools engaged children with an "experiential" approach to education.  Today there are private and charter progressive schools all over the United States.  Progressive schools share some common philosophies and practices:

• Curriculum is strongly influenced by what the children are interested in, and is child-centered rather than adult driven.
• Learning is "hands on," experiential, and the emphasis is on process rather than product.  Children are "learning to learn."
• Learning is deep.  Children learn through integrated, theme-based units or inquiry projects and the "theme" often emerges from the children.
• The classroom is a democratic community.  Children play a role in making and upholding the classroom rules.
• Parents are actively involved in their children's life at school and in the classroom.  They are also part of a democratic community and have a voice in their children's education.
• Assessment is authentic and holistic.  Children are well known by their teachers and peers.  There are no tests or letter grades.  Instead, narrative reports are written about children that cover all aspects of their development:  social, emotional, personal, physical, and intellectual.
• Classes are usually of mixed ages and no ability grouping is used.  Children are able to work at their own pace and cross-age friendships are encouraged.
• Progressive schools practice a developmental approach which holds that each child is a unique being unfolding and developing at their own pace according to a specific pattern.  At each stage of development there are things that can be learned and things that should not be learned.  Respecting a child's development is central to progressive education.