Inspired by Piaget, Montessori, and Dewey, the Developmental Model argues that learning emerges from within the child, guided by readiness and interest. Dianne praises this model for its respect for childhood and its rejection of one-size-fits-all pacing. Curriculum is often integrated (math through cooking, reading through nature journals), and assessment is qualitative.
High intrinsic motivation, better long-term retention, lower anxiety. Supports neurodiversity. Pathologies: Can be too laissez-faire; may under-prepare students for structured environments or content-heavy higher education. Difficult to scale in large systems. Example: Montessori schools, Reggio Emilia-inspired programs, many progressive independent schools. Dianne’s caution: "Developmentalism without rigor becomes a vacation. The garden still needs pruning." Model 3: The Apprenticeship Model (The "Guild School") Core Metaphor: The school as a studio or workshop. Primary Goal: Competence through guided practice in authentic contexts. Teacher Role: Master practitioner and coach. Student Role: Apprentice and eventual journeyman. school models dianne
By J. Hartley, Education Futures