School with Class
We started the campaign "School with Class" on May 20, 2002 by publishing its manifesto in "Gazeta Wyborcza". The program was designed for the students of primary and secondary schools up to grade 12. It aspires to introduce a new way of thinking into Polish schools, to promote modern and effective education, to raise its level, improve the learning culture standards, to improve interactions and co-operation of schools and their communities. The program is based on six principles of wise school, friendly to students, teachers and parents. For each principle, we prepared a list of tasks. Each participating school selects and implements six tasks, one for each of the principles. After the school completes these tasks it receives the "School with Class" designation.
Six principles of the "School with Class"
1. The school teaches each student well.
2. The school evaluates each student fairly.
3. The school teaches to think and to understand the world.
4. The school promotes social development and teaches sensitivity.
5. The school helps students to build self-confidence and creates positive atmosphere.
6. The school prepares for the future.
The participating schools created their web pages on "Gazeta's" Internet portal. Here, they present information about themselves and reports on their progress in the contest. In the process we are creating an interactive guide to Polish schools.
The campaign was prepared by "Gazeta Wyborcza", the Center for Citizenship Education and Gazeta.pl portal. The "School with Class" campaign is financed by Agora Foundation and Polish American Freedom Foundation.
Aleksander Kwasniewski the President of Poland and, the honorary patron of the campaign, wrote in his letter to schools: "Poland is catching up with G7 countries. It is also your achievement, dear teachers and headmasters. It is, however, up to all of us to make Poland a strong partner among our European neighbors. I hope that every schooling institution in Poland will aspire to be ranked among School with class."
During the course of three-year of program, 6.5 thousand schools tried to obtain the distinction "School with Class", 4.5 thousand have managed to do so. The campaign's enormous success led us to broaden its scope in 2003 we launched "Academy of the School with Class". Thanks to many generous sponsors we funded small grants (PLN 1500) for development of after school activities in almost 800 schools. In 2004 we launched a program "LEGO, COGITO, AGO" (I read, I think, I act). We have decided to develop three skills amongst students: reading comprehension, critical, scientific and creative thinking and social involvement for small and large homeland. Over 1100 school have joined the program. Results of their work is impressive - over 10 thousand presentations were prepared jointly by teachers and students.
Our program in 2005 and 2006:
To teach in a human way so that learning process is an intellectual adventure. In the fourth year of the program we focus on teachers work. Four skills of the teacher:
1. Quit the blackboard.
2. Use projects as a method of teaching.
3. Evaluate to help in the learning process.
4. Remember that student is also a human.
The program is designed for all teachers - form elementary schools to high schools. Teachers who manage to complete the program will get diplomas.
