Self-Directed Learning Outcomes
Whether unschooled or learning independently, you will eventually be asked why you aren't in school learning from a teacher. Here are studies, historical evidence, and books about schools that strongly support self-directed learning, providing further evidence to doubtful parents that their children can learn on their own.
• Superintendent Louis Benezet’s math experiment. He abolished math studies from the seventh grade down and had the children read, recite, and reason instead. When they learned math, they did very well.
• The 8-Year Study by Wilford Aiken. A high-quality, long-term study of the effects that attending an alternative high school had upon college success. Shows there are many paths for college success.
• Studies of adults who were homeschooled have been done by J. Gary Knowles, Brian Ray, and Julie Webb, (1989), The Outcomes of Home-Based Education: Employment and Other Issues, Educational Review, 41 (2).
• Free to Learn, Peter Gray
Dr. Gray presents much evidence and research to support self-directed learning for all ages.
