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Modern School
The "Modern School" describes a movement in the first half of the twentieth century in the United States to provide radical education to children.
Contents
History
The martyrdom of Francisco Ferrer in 1909 by the Spanish church and state for starting radical schools in opposition to their power inspired many in the United States to found "Modern Schools."
Dozen's of such schools based off of Ferrer's concepts of education sprung up across the country, however most failed to become established and failed within a few years. An exception was the Ferrer Modern School, which existed in one form or location from 1911-1953. At first it existed in New York, but in 1915 moved to an intentional community in Stelton, New Jersey because of growing political tensions and repression in the city that were thought to be unhealthy for the children.
Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman were advocates for the New York Ferrer center and were closely associated with its founding and activities.
Legacy
Although the Modern School movement had essentially vanished by the fifties, the ideas survived and sparked interest in libertarian education later.
See Also
References
- Paul Avrich, The Modern School Movement: Anarchism and Education in the United States (AK Press edition)
