We speak with Deborah Meier and Jane Andrias, pioneers in the democratic small-school movement. Debbie founded the Central Park East Schools. Jane Andrias was an art teacher and principal at Central Park East I. Debbie and Jane discuss these ground-breaking schools, their ethical foundations, the “habits of mind” they worked to instill, and the challenges they faced.

*This is Part Two of a two part episode. Go back one episode or click here to listen to the first part.

Overview

00:00-00:41 Intros

00:41-07:30 Parent involvement

07:30-12:05 What happened to Mission Hill?

12:05-23:04 Survival of innovative, democratic schools; 

What do we have education for? Education and democracy

23:04-24:45 Justice and fairness

24:45-26:37 Community service; connections to the adult world

26:37-29:37 Choices schools make based on what they value

29:37-36:46 Documentary about impact of CPESS on graduates’ lives

36:36-38:39 Human capital

38:39-40:57 Need funding for the documentary

40:57-42:41 Films and TV about the schools

42:41- Outro

Transcript

Click here to see the full transcription of this episode. 

References

Soundtrack by Poddington Bear