John Holt, the American educator, was passionate about the need for alternatives to traditional institutional schooling, seeing schools as often hindering children from learning rather than helping them; he became an important proponent of homeschooling or 'unschooling', was a pioneer in youth rights theory and had a profound influence on school reform in particular and educational philosophy in general. Here, Roland Meighan challenges the often held notion that Holt's work was 'romantic' and impractical within the context of compulsory schooling. He brings together the work and thinking of John Holt into applicable theory for education students, enabling readers to appreciate the view that individuals outside the education system can influence and change what is happening within it.

Roland Meighan held positions as Special Professor of Education at the University of Nottingham, UK, and as Senior Lecturer at University of Birmingham, UK.

Series Editor's Preface
Foreword

Part I: Intellectual Biography
1. Becoming a Radical

Part II: Critical Exposition of John Holt's Work
2. Overview
3. How Children Fail
4. How Children Learn
5. The Underachieving School
6. What Do I Do Monday?
7. Freedom and Beyond
8. Escape from Childhood
9. Instead of Education
10. Never Too Late
11. Teach Your Own
12. Learning All the Time
13. Growing Without Schooling

Part III: The Reception and Influence of John Holt's Work
14. The Home-Based Education Movement

Part IV: The Relevance of Holt's Work Today
15. Personalized Learning

Bibliography
Index