An Open School in the Country.

Overview & Synopsis

Describing Poland's 1978 educational model based on what is termed the "open school" concept (a concept similar to what is known in the U.S. as community education), this document presents: (1) Data on the Polish People's Republic; (2) The Concept of an Open School; (3) The Role of School in the Transformation of the Rural Community and Principles of the Organization of School in the Country; (4) Education in the District Collective School; and (5) Statistical Data (demographic). Major components of Poland's open school concept are identified as: a purposeful local educational environment involving the entire community; education coordinated with social reality; participation of community specialists in the planning and implementation of classroom procedures; the school functioning as a change agent to improve the general educational level of the community; modernization of education in the home; the school functioning as the coordinator of a national, uniform educational front; education perceived as a life-long endeavor; and continuous, ongoing teacher training. The new model of pedagogical culture is described as being built upon an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates emotional development and acknowledges the importance of education as "the unreserved rights of children to education equal to their abilities". (JC)