Solarpunk

More experiments that are followed through to completion, with the results used to improve outcomes across the board instead of being repeated in an endless series of trials.

I went to an experimental high school in the early 1970s. Among other things they tried were:

• Multi-grade classrooms for the transition years from arithmetic to introductory algebra to pre-calculus. Not the traditional 1 teacher for 2-3 grades, but 3 grades with 3 teachers taking turns. Some of us moved between grades depending on what we mastered and what we struggled with. My perception was that about 1/2 would get through 3 grades in 2 semesters, 1/4 would get through 3 grades in 1 semester, and 1/4 would require the full 3 semesters. But they cancelled the experiment after 1 semester.

• Contract assignments in a history class. We were given the list of papers to submit at the start of the semester. Despite class running normally, we could choose to do the necessary reading and research to fulfil the contract as we saw fit. About 1/3 of us completed our contracts by halfway through the semester, then they didn't know what to do with us.

• Work at our own pace with the promise that if we finished early enough, they would transition us to the next grade without waiting for the next semester. A few of us put together an alternative study group and invited others to join. About 1/3 of the class took 6 weeks to finish all the homework assignments and write all the exams with the lowest mark being in the high 80s. They decided that this meant there was something wrong with the plan, cancelled the experiment, and forced us to sit through the rest of the semester. Nearly half of those hard workers opted out of further education after high school and two actually dropped out without a diploma.