Communities of Ownership

The Whole Schooling Consortium is an international network of schools, teachers, parents, administrators, university faculty and community members.

The purposeis to promote excellence and equityin schools throughout the world to build inclusive and democratic societies. The consortium seeks to help children learn at their personal best to become effective citizens for democracy-- innovative leaders, workers, parents, and community members who can create innovations and take responsibility for a better world. Whole Schools create cultures and utilize practices to achieve these aims that:

• Help children learn the tools and skills of genuine democracy

• Create a sense of belonging, care, and community

• Include all students in learning well together

• Support learning through the efforts of peers, colleagues, and specialists in the classroom

• Develop genuine partnerships between educators, parents, and the community

• Engage children through authentic, multilevel instruction — connecting learning to the real world and drawing on the gifts, voices, experiences, and cultures of all at the ‘just right’ level of each child