TYPOLOGY OF ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS IN THE USA

Abstract

This article is devoted to the problem of alternative education in the USA. The experience of the development of alternative education in this country is very important for all other countries in the world and especially for Ukraine where we observe really great changes in many fields. They are caused by the pandemia of coronavirus and war (Russian aggression against Ukraine). In such conditions the system of education can’t be the same as it was during the last years. In response to this situation a great interest to the alternative forms of education grew up (distance learning, home-based education etc.). The aim of the study is to investigate the peculiarities of alternative education in the USA and reveal its different forms and types. Theoretical research methods have been used in this study: analysis of scientific sources for the systematisation and generalisation of available data; defining of the essence of basic concepts; identification of the current state of the problem. The results of this investigation give possibility to state that alternative education is really very popular in America. In the USA a variety of educational alternatives exist at the elementary, secondary and some other levels in four categories: school choice, independent schools, home-based education or home-schooling, self-education. Some schools are based on the pedagogical approaches different from the mainstream pedagogy, while other schools are for gifted students, children with special needs, vulnerable children etc. Alternative schools appeared in the USA more than two centuries ago. They provide special educational conditions for the personal development of each pupil. This is the maim value of alternative education. Different aspects of alternative education are investigated by such known American scholars as R.Morley, M.Raywid, S.Aronson, R.Butchart, L.Aron, J.Zweig, B.Jacobs. They analyze all types of alternative schools and define their strong and weak features.