School is optional: Ken Danford at TEDxAmherstCollege

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@somethingventured3]

this man, his partner Josh Hornick, and their dream changed my life in such a profound and positive way that i couldn't repay the debt of gratitude if i lived to be 250 years old. i'm prone to exaggeration but the above statement contains none. if conventional schooling is destroying your relationship with your parents/kids, investigate North Star: Self-Directed Learning for Teens.

[@honestwanderings4032]

I'm another one who is forever grateful to North Star for helping me to get free from mainstream education and find myself!

[@sleepyhead0123]

I hope each one will accept this idea ASAP and rescue those younger generation from wasting their life regretting to have not done what they are interested about at the time they have felt it.

[@ZodiacGF]

+khazamondo why is that though tell me that bc from what I thought this was the land of the free were those who want to pursue there passion can do matter race gender or social status, this world was built on dreams an foundation those who which to pursue there passion without looking back are the same as the 1s who made the world as we no it happen

[@purplepajamas98]

I went to North Star one day a week and loved it! You don't need school to be educated.

[@mothermonsterlove]

I've gone to North Star, it absolutely changed my life for the better. Best choice my parents and I ever made. THANK YOU NORTH STAR, THANK YOU KEN!

[@hauntedshadowslegacy2826]

Five years later, and the lie of 'you have to go to school' is still being perpetuated.

[@neptune0909]

7 now! 💀

[@mariocean808]

My daughter has social anxiety and struggles with going to school. I feel more at peace with giving her options. Thank you!

[@waterfirelord]

Maris I one of those people also. But when I took online classes I love it. But it's depaned on the classes.

[@faza553]

More youths need to be encouraged & guided to march to their own inner drums... as you have done. BRAVO.

[@sarabethmatilsky6076]

Ken Danford, you are a Revolutionary! I mean this in the most pragmatic and nicest possible sense. The work you do is profoundly important, and you have my deepest admiration.

[@Yurihalore]

Shouldn't this be the same for universities?

[@SereniaSaissa]

My son loved his elementary school but hated his high school. He dropped out in 9th grade and is now an unschooler. He should be doing 11th grade work, but prefers to follow his passions!!! and no we did not use Northstar or any other agency. We just did it ourselves.

[@asgpppsychodrama9847]

My son went to Princeton Learning Cooperative, another program modeled after NorthStar, and saved his love for education. Public School was squashing his love for learning and PLC offered him the opportunity he desperately needed to see a future.

[@keanu-sama8378]

i wish i had known about this sooner, i'm in 12 grade now. I think i would have greatly benefited from this method of study.

[@coldblizzard5880]

Dude...I’ve been dreaming about dropping out for years now. But in my house hold it just isn’t possible. My parents are brain washed that is the one and ONLY to do anything. I cannot do this anymore. I’m just not good at school but my parents just don’t want to hear it....😔

[@jonnikabenjamin1256]

Read the teenagers liberation handbook! Take control of your life.

[@heathertoomey7068]

You could go to school, do just enough to satisfy your parents, and then do the rest of just pursuing your own interests. You could also talk with your school counselor about it. She might agree and be able to convince your parents. You might as well try all you can so you can say you did!

[@maryangelsanchezcarruyo9272]

Amazing ⭐️ Thanks Ken 🙏🏻

[@tylerwhite6567]

This blew my mind

[@demelza32]

I am totally on board with this, it isn't easy to implement with a husband who disagrees with me on the subject and is bloody minded he knows what is best!!

[@TYUAN2009]

Eye opening! I now understand better about my son.

[@laurarivera2714]

I’ve been teaching for 21 years and my 16 year old doesn’t like school …. Ty for this ….. people tend to judge “teacher’s kids” more harshly, my 24 year old also finished through an alternative option

[@billyuba2900]

Holywow! This is very helpful ,i am glad i came across this!

[@MarioDGDG]

thank you!!!

[@janamishra5011]

Excellent!!! So glad I watched this ;-)

[@HenryR55]

Well done Ken! Well done.

[@masterfaronII]

Very interesting video, and very interesting ideas. I think this has great potential!

[@zzzh9160]

God bless you

[@bakhytgul4457]

Not everywhere it's legally possible, unfortunately

[@amittenforkitten7016]

Actually, I can't do that. Any place near me that could even offer some alternative is more then 7 hours away, and no way are my parents moving, especially since my brother got a girlfriend and her parents wouldn't let her move with him. My mom and dad need jobs so neither of them can homeschool me. So yeah, I am forced to go to school.

[@nvastaar1081]

I live in New York. Can I still go to North Star? :)

[@coena9377]

I believe that since the pandemic there is now an online option so you can attend from anywhere. Best of luck!

[@mr.d.2662]

I though the school wasn't a private school but after I read the comments I realized that I need money or scholarship to be not miserable.

[@MaryShaferAuthor]

North Star has never turned anyone away for lack of resources for tuition. Please contact them.

[@WhiteDoveSam]

What about states that have laws which literally require parents to send their children to public school (or home school with state accredited curriculum), though??? I'm also wondering about the potential job market for students who choose this type of path. Don't hiring requirements usually say you need at least a GED if not a high school diploma?

[@skyleruballe2265]

Homeschoolers have the option to test to receive their diploma. It also is worth mentioning that while states do have requirements to fill that need to be documented, that the parameters are not so specific and that children are learning all the time and with everything they do. I'm part of a few Facebook groups which aims to solve the problem you described of translating their learning into terms the state wants to document. The group divides normal daily learning experiences of kids into it's base subjects, which appeases the state. For example, a kid learning to cook is learning all sorts of things like time management, scientific principles, fractions, etc. It's important to note that changing how rigidly we define learning is also essential in fully supporting a child's education and interest.

[@therealkrisi]

It would be nice to know the specifics of his program.

[@somethingventured3]

northstarteens.org !

[@coena9377]

I attended from 13 to 17, pretty much you get to do whatever. You can take classes or have tutorials, there are no compulsory subjects, no grades, no tests, and it’s not for academic credit so there’s no diploma. I largely studied math and science, I also took some art and writing classes. In addition to my time at North Star I took community college classes and used other available methods like my local library.

[@ddmaheshwari7059]

While home schooling is good, it is tough for the parents.

[@demelza32]

What is much tougher is my son coming back from school saying he has nobody to talk to who understands him or gives him the time of day, and that he is being bullied everyday by the other kids (which makes my blood boil)!!. It is relentless!!!!!

[@skyleruballe2265]

Yes, it is hard. But what's truly best for my kid is usually not the easiest option in my experience

[@LeilaGarcia12]

Legends in portuguese, please!

[@brunogoncalvesrusso6707]

You mean subtitles.

[@Rachnagothi85]

Leila Garcia L L L L ll l L L

[@RilianSharp]

hopefully i can watch this later and it will play better. It's skipping a lot.

[@ladyannabella]

Cost of this guy's "non-school": North Star Membership Fees: 2013-2014 One Day per Week: $2,500* Two Days per Week: $5,000 Three Days per Week: $6,000 Four Days per Week: $7,500

[@lauriehammer7656]

what a great price for a priceless education!

[@ladyannabella]

Laurie Hammer Sure! If you are upper-middle class or just plain rich. Then again, the North Star education depends heavily on homeschooling, which is only possible if one of your parents doesn't have to work. In other words, this is all very feasible and wonderful for people who come from privileged backgrounds, but those are also hardly the vast majority of people who need "saving" from the weaknesses of our public school system.

[@adrianapiantedosi1589]

Anna-Claire Simpson Speaking as someone who was the child of a single mother making it on food stamps and section 8, I can say that North Star still accepted me (with a generous scholarship). Also, during my time at North Star, my mother was never my educator. Because North Star was open for most of the same hours that school is, she didn't have to be. Self-directed learning is about the teen educating themselves with the aid of mentors and tutors. Parents can be involved if they are able to, but some aren't. I agree that there needs to be vast educational reform and alternative options for families who are limited in their resources, but please don't assume that Ken Danford only cares about rich kids, or that North Star is just a stomping ground for spoiled teens, because it isn't. Families from all sorts of economic backgrounds come to North Star for help and receive it.

[@purplepajamas98]

+Anna-Claire Simpson I went to North Star on a scholarship. They don't turn people away due to an inability to pay.

[@coena9377]

Anyone can attend regardless of ability to pay. Those are simply the fees for those with the ability to pay.

[@nononouh]

Stop going to school and start getting a life?