August | 2016 | Coalition of Essential Schools

Common Principles: From 9 to 10

August 29, 2016

When it was founded, the Coalition of Essential Schools was founded on nine Common Principles developed by Theodore R. Sizer as an extension of the research on the American high school that led to the publication of Horace’s Compromise. The tenth Common Principle, known as “Democracy and Equity” joined the group in during Fall Forum 1997, as recounted by Kathleen Cushman in “Democracy and Equity: CES’s Tenth Common Principle.” In full, it reads: Democracy and equity: The school should demonstrate non-discriminatory and inclusive policies, practices, and pedagogies. It should model democratic practices that involve all who are directly affected by the
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Translate, Transform, Transcend

August 29, 2016

A CES Big Idea by Teri Schrader In the early days of the Coalition of Essential Schools (CES), my school, Watkinson School in Hartford, Connecticut, was in many ways the school it is today: small, vibrant, creative, and naturally inclined to see in each of its students their capacity for growth and for reaching their own version of brilliance. Founded in 1881 as a farm school in the city, the school had a way of developing authentic learning experiences that countered many of the traditions and confines of its more conventional peer schools. Watkinson has always occupied a unique place
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Most Likely to Succeed Fundraiser!

August 19, 2016

Most Likely to Succeed (MLTS), the film that’s driving conversations about the future of school in thousands of communities, is offering the Coalition of Essential Schools network a special opportunity this fall All currently affiliated CES schools and organizations can now receive a $150 screening discount in order to use screening events as fundraisers for attending the 2016 Fall Forum. In addition to raising funds, hosting a screening of MLTS will create space for meaningful discussion about your school’s future and inspire innovation in your classrooms. The MLTS team will assign you a personal screening coordinator and equip you with a Community Screening
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Fall Forum Pre-conference Activities

August 18, 2016

For those who are making arrangements to travel to Providence for Fall Forum on December 1-3, 2016: big news! We’ve added school visits and other pre-conference activities to our schedule on Thursday, December 1. School visits are $150 per person; please choose the Fall Forum “with school visit” option when you register and pay here: Fall Forum Registration. All other December 1 activities are free of charge. School Visits All school visits will run from approximately 7:30 am (departure time from the Omni Providence Hotel) through early afternoon. Transportation and lunch will be provided. VISIT FULL Blackstone Academy Charter School
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CES is Hiring a Program Assistant

August 8, 2016

The Coalition of Essential Schools (CES) is hiring a Program Assistant to support communication and planning activities related to our annual Fall Forum conference, which will take place in Providence, RI in early December 2016. Start date for this position is ASAP. CES is seeking candidates with: Excellent organizational skills Strong facility with spreadsheets/word processing/presentation software Project management skills Excellent telephone communications skills Superb attention to detail Commitment to prompt follow up Strong facility for email communication Ability to work independently with minimal supervision A candidate with some or all of the following experiences will be a great addition to
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