John Holt: Advocate of at Home Schooling

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John Holt sitting for an interview.
John Holt sitting for an interview.
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Holt in a series of poses during his interview.
Holt in a series of poses during his interview.

A little over ten years ago, the movement which aimed to make America’s schools relevant, enjoyable, and truly useful for their students was at its peak. John Holt was one of the leaders of that drive to make educational institutions more child centered rather than teacher centered. In fact, his books How Children Fail and How Children Learn practically sparked off the education reform movement all by themselves!

But that was ten years ago. Today, the attempt to establish “alternative,” “open,” or “free” schooling is all but dead. And, to tell the truth, most people have pretty much forgotten about that movement’s emissary, John Holt.

MOTHER EARTH NEWS, however, is still very much aware of Mr. Holt for two reasons. For one thing, the irrepressible New Englander won’t let us forget him! John’s a dedicated reader of this magazine, and he frequently writes us with suggestions, praise, and candid criticism.

More important, though, the one-time schoolteacher has not abandoned his efforts to help children learn and grow. Instead, John has taken a new approach, one that he sees as being the only logical response to the appallingly poor quality of public education and its innate resistance to change.

Namely, John Holt now devotes his energies to assisting people who want to help their youngsters learn at home … after pulling the children out of school altogether!He now champions at-home schooling.

  • Published on Jul 1, 1980
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