I wish I had more time to post and since they are few and far between I'm posting an entire article:

Concord, N.H. -
The state Department of Education has released a document intended to develop "a new high school delivery model," in which learning is tailored around students' interests and teachers mentor instead of instruct.

"This is the next step in moving forward with school redesign," said Fred Bramante, a member of the state Board of Education. "If we do this right, why would any kid drop out of high school?


Among the changes were a provision that would allow high schools to maintain a school year of 990 hours instead of 180 days and a mandate that by the 2008-09 school year, students must have the option to earn credits by demonstrating mastery of a subject instead of taking a course in that subject.

Bramante described the vision document as a link to the minimum standards that "articulates the vision, spirit and intent behind the rules."
"My fundamental hope is that it will inspire high schools across the state to take advantage of the increased flexibility" of the revised minimum standards, state board member Daphne Kenyon said.

Six "guiding principles" for redesigning high schools are outlined in the document:

• Students should feel a personal connection to their high school experience. School guidance programs are important, as are internships and lessons customized to each student's learning style.
• All students should be held to high academic and personal standards.
• Students must believe that what they learn is relevant to their lives; students should be able to personalize their learning.
• Teachers should be facilitators, mentors and coaches.
• Each student's learning should be monitored and documented.
• Data about that learning should be used to tweak the system to make it better.

Education officials say some schools already emphasize personalized learning. For example, Merrimack Valley High School offers online courses and internships, and its staff members are developing a charter school that would assess students based on their demonstrated abilities. The CSI Charter School would "profile" students and then adapt the curriculum to fit their needs.

Merrimack Valley Principal Mike Jette said he hopes to pilot the concept of awarding credit for "real-world learning," as outlined in the revised minimum standards, at the charter school next year and then bring it to the high school in 2008-09.

I like it because it's different.