ViolenceFree Humane Education Charter Schools

SWIVL works with parents, community members, teachers and administrators to organize and create ViolenceFree humane education charter schools.  Click here for a model humane education charter school.  Humane education fosters critical thinking, academic achievement, social success, self-worth and respect for humans, all species and the environment. Through dialogue, reflection and action, a humane education learning community creates an environment where students are able to optimize their strengths to be productive and resilient problem-solvers, socially conscious and compassionate citizens for the 21^st Century.

The humane education charter school is based on the belief that a compassionate learning community can enhance a child’s education and provide opportunities for social, emotional and academic growth.  Humane Education supports a life-loving and life-affirming ethic for all sentient beings, respect for the self-worth and dignity of all humans, recognition that multiculturalism and diversity are essential to a creative learning process, and an appreciation of the interdependent relationship between the human and natural community. Humane education promotes a society where citizens strive to be respectful, responsible and compassionate in their interactions with each other, nonhuman animals, and the natural community. 

Humane education is compatible with whole-brain research that describes learning as a self-organizing process that takes place within the individual and is contrary to traditional external, expert models of schooling.  Events are processed in the brain as a complex set of experiences where parts are embedded and integrated into larger wholes. Students are encouraged to perceive both separateness and interconnectedness while learning within a context specific environment. 

Humane Education Guiding Principles

1)     To create of a life-loving and life-affirming ethic. Humane education creates a learning environment based on kindness, compassion, respect, and consideration for all humans, all species and the environment.

2)     To search for interconnectedness. Humane education encourages a learning environment that emphasizes the value of relationships. 

3)     To develop critical thinking and evaluation. Humane education asks students to be accountable and responsible decision-makers. 

4)     To practice democratic principles and processes. Humane education creates a safe learning environment for students to speak about their own authentic feelings and experiences.