La Escuela Paulo Freire: Historic Possibility, Struggle, and Design in the Context of Neoliberal Privatization of Public Education

• In Event: 34.068 - Transforming Relations Through Community-Based Research and Projects: The Paulo Freire Democratic Project

Abstract

One project developing out of the efforts of PFDP is a proposed charter school in Santa Ana, CA. While charter schools tend to be monolithically represented by critical pedagogues as a key neoliberal strategy for the dissolution of public schooling and privatization of spaces for democracy (see Au & Ferrare, 2015; Saltman, 2009), they also offer a key historic possibility. It is the tension between this historic possibility of developing educational spaces which seek to develop the dispositions required in a thriving democracy, and the privatization of public schooling, that will be a key focus in this discussion. Finally, we will discuss La Escuela Freire’s unique design and vision. The abstract for La Escuela Freire reads “La Escuela Freire (LEF) will be a democratic, rigorous, community-based educational program in the heart of the vibrant, historic, cultural hub of Downtown Santa Ana. Based on the educational philosophies of Paulo Freire and John Dewey, LEF will engage students, parents, teachers, administration, and community partners in an ongoing collaboration focused on the knowledge, dispositions and ethics for democratic citizenship. LEF’s interdisciplinary project based curriculum embedded in a nurturing school culture will allow students to develop the 21st Century skills required to realize their career aspirations and an active participant civic life. Projected to open Fall of 2016, La Escuela Freire offers students and parents of Santa Ana a unique educational opportunity focused on culture, leadership, and civic engagement distinct among the growing number of themed charters, schools, and academies in Santa Ana. The larger purpose of LEF’s educational program is the development of an inclusive, socially-just democratic society” (La Escuela Freire Abstract, 2016).

Authors

• Anat Herzog, Chapman University

• Thomas C. Wilson, Chapman University