national Coalition of Alternative Community Schools NCACS POB 15036 Santa Fe, NM 87506 (505) 474-4312 i'm not affiliated with the group, but i ran accross one of their pamphlets recently and think they may be helpful to folks looking for alternatives from state education systems. i know that some of you are working toward creating schools in your communities; maybe NCACS can help with things like dealing with state repression (which you will likely face). i've transcribed part of the pamphlet below, but if you're interested, you should write them for more info... ORIGINS AND OBJECTIVES In May, 1976, several hundred representatives from alternative educational programs met in Chicago at the Education for Change" Comference, where they drafted a Statement of Objectives. Based on this statement, NCACS was founded in June, 1978, when the following Preamble and Statement of Objectives was formally adopted. PREAMBLE TO THE BYLAWS We are a national coalition of schools, groups and individuals committed to creating an egalitarian society by actively working against racism, sexism, ageism, and all forms of social, political and economic oppression. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES The object and purposes of the Coalition are to support an educational process which is alternative 1. in intention, working to empower people to actively and collectively direct their lives; 2. in form, requiring the active control of education by the students, parents, teachers, and community members who are most directly affected; 3. in content, developing tools and skills to work for social justice." NETWORKING The primary function of the NCACS is to facilitate networking for its members as well as other interested parties. Currently there are nearly 300 members composed of schools, communities, home educators and others who support non-traditional educational alternatives throughout the us and in 20 countries. We receive hundreds of inquiries every year about all aspects of alternative education. Many of these are from peoople seeking information on existing alternative programs, and those wanting to establish a new alternative school or homeschool. we also hear frequently from individuals looking for jobs or careers in alternative education. all receive as much assistance as possible. WHAT ARE MEMBER SCHOOLS LIKE? members of the coalition have developed many different environments for learning: large schools, small schools, and home schools; day schools and boarding schools; independent and traveling schools. various age groupings exist, ranging from babies to senior citizens. many programs have low student/teacher ratios and encourage freedom balanced with responsibility. approaches emphasize field trips, apprenticeships, the world as campus and living as learning. some members of the coalition are new, and others have been operating very successfully for decades.