Human Restoration Project explores a variety of progressive thought to move all learners toward humanity through passion, service, and empowerment.
We recommend starting with writings by any of these educators: Linda Darling-Hammond, John Dewey, Susan Engel, Paulo Freire, Henry Giroux, John Holt, bell hooks, Alfie Kohn, Jonathan Kozol, Deborah Meier, Maria Montessori, and Jean Piaget. We welcome criticism and remain open to dialogue on expanding our viewpoints further. Further, we highlight books each month that best illustrate progressive practice.
Please report broken links to us. Note: all research should be looked at through a critical lens, many research studies fail to be replicated or have mixed results.
Showcases the negative effects of grading on classroom learning.
An overview of understanding school inequity through the lens of race, including arguments of law and social studies.
An overview of how PBL specifically impacts low-SES students.
A challenge to the term “evidence-based” and how we view research in education.
Demonstrates that deeper thinking, extensive discussion, deep-reading of text, and experiential learning outperformed traditional schools focused on test prep on critical thinking and learning.
Graduate programs around the United States are dropping GRE requirements in response to studies showing little correlation between GRE scores and success in graduate school.
Finds the average cost of large districts per teacher is $18,000 on PD, which is mostly unappreciated or ill-received.
On the decreased funding of schools and the negative impact across the education system.
Provides solutions on how to solve the teacher exodus from schools, citing that 2/3rds of teachers leave the classroom each year for reasons other than pay.
Detailed feedback without grades was shown to have the most improvement on future student work.
Findings demonstrate that although peer and self assessment initially take a long period to implement (requiring time for reflection and general unfamiliarity), students have fundamental gains in self-critical leading.
Summary of how rubrics undermine the purpose of expression and creative thinking involved in the writing process.
Teenagers who live in poverty, who often face increased antisocial and decreased prosocial behavior, can alleviate and escape from these mindsets by finding a purpose in life - developing skills to achieve in spite of adversity.
An investigation into utilizing mindfulness in the classroom among adolescents that showcased increased "personal mastery" of content.
States that mathematics and science homework had only significant relevance to standardized testing, not obtaining high grades in a classroom - the implication being that homework's negative impact on students is only helping on standardized tests.
The case against zero-tolerance policies in schools and alternative discipline practices “look to holistically develop [students] into positive, contributing members of society.”
Relates the connectedness of high pressure schooling and home life, “The home appeared to be so well-integrated with the school that homework tended to recreate the problems of school, such as status degradation, for low achievers.”
A study that involves a group of 2nd grade girls and how schools interact with their relationship building. Suggestions are made to make learning more collaborative, with more authentic time given to developing relationships.
A summary overview of self-assessment and its usage in the classroom, including tendencies toward mastery and reflective thinking. Provides multiple stages of implementation, a lengthy amount of research studies, and highlights the benefits of its usage. Noted are the benefits to intrinsic motivation as a result of taking control of one’s learning.
Six activities/lessons with supplemental resources for teachers interested in investigating school segregation and educational inequality with their students.
Breaks down how personal lens and bias must be examined and facilitated within the discipline system through a series of steps.
Finds that doctoral students’ completion of the doctoral program are not tied to completion or performance on the GRE.
Miller conducts an analysis of their class and their adoption of ungrading, and provides a summary of “liberating” assessment and why it does/does not work.
Data found shows that there was no additional motivation from grading for any test performance.
Details how low self-control in life leads to overall decreased opportunities and outcomes. The study suggests that universal programs and steps be taken to increase the teaching of self-control/direction from a young age.
Study of “participatory pedagogy” - where families and the community were brought into educational framework, establishing a symbiotic relationship of teacher/community/parent/guardian.
An introduction to the "Montessori Method" - a fully peer-taught and choice-based curriculum employed in Montessori schools throughout the world.
An outline of the practice “social creativity” which runs counter to the traditional “drill and kill” mantra found in schools. Montouri comments on “tools that kill” creativity in schools.
Argument against the "high stakes testing culture" and its dangers to the educational curricula.
An outline of cooperative inquiry to engage in the human condition. A study was performed which showcased high engagement, positive feedback, a high standard of assessment, and increased collaboration.
Demonstrates how there is a negative correlation between low grades and retaining students.
A history of high stakes testing in the United States which calls for a movement away from standardized testing as there is plausible research that shows ethnic and gender demotivation casual links to academic struggles on these tests.
Demonstrates the efficacy of using self (and peer) reflection through sampled graduate students. Not only did students have increased academic performance, but also higher motivation, understanding of the purpose of the course, and a more supportive learning environment.
Data showcasing how 6th grade students performed just as well on standardized tests via PBL-delivery vs. traditional-delivery. Research also showcases that students learned more skills via PBL-delivery.
Demonstrates how bringing in the surrounding community can increase morale, relationships, and lower absence rates. Overall, community involvement showed drastic increases in a measurement of "school culture" - which was adverse to the demands of standardized testing.
A guide to how historical content should be framed to make learning relevant and how large-scale, long-duration changes shape the human experience.
High-stakes testing is shown to have absolutely no effect on student learning and study concludes that this style of testing should be removed.
Based on doctoral candidates, students who received a traditional portfolio grade did slightly better, but had increased stress. Notably, students felt they had more self-assurance from receiving a grade, making the case for better feedback mechanisms.
Stories and research surrounding creating equitable schools from the perspective of Latinx teachers and Latrinx student populations.
A collection of readings, media, and resources for educators and students to understand LGBTQ+ identity.
Overviews each practice teachers can take to increase self-regulated and determination in their classroom for the benefit of students.
A comprehensive overview of PBL, featuring real projects designed by educators and students.
A heavily researched account on the benefits of mindfulness in the classroom, from statistical data to actual examples of practice.
Detailed study on the importance of recess (and breaks in general) and why overscheduling is dangerous for our students
Research comprised and featured in its book by the same author, recognizing the importance of play and socialization in recess.
The more a teacher feels pressured from above (by admin) and/or below (by students), the less likely they are to allow for self-determination in the classroom and in-turn, the more controlling they are.
Anxiety and depression is a major or minor problem for 96% of teen’s communities, along with bullying, poverty, drug addiction, alcohol use, poverty, teen pregnancy, and gangs as a major or minor problem for the majority.
A publication detailing the background, research, and implementation of trauma-informed districts and classrooms.
An overview of how self-regulated learning should be coordinated in a classroom for greater student outcomes.
Students who were presented their grade cards halfway through the year showcased decreased motivation, engagement, and performance after receiving a low marking.
Details the importance of talking about transgender/gender diversity rights and its impact.
One of the most in-depth analysis of progressive education and the impact it has on students in many facets of life.
Study demonstrates those who see "kids these days" in a negative light have continued this pattern for millennia.
Over 50% of American 15-21 year olds reported depression, lacking energy or motivation. 1/3rd are stressed about basic necessities, money, hunger, etc.
Multiple experiments reveal that students when pressured with a grade are less likely to be motivated and/or would be more likely to perform as best as possible.
A deep survey-driven research study into all the elements of student and teacher voice, finding that students - starting in third grade - benefit from ample voice in the classroom and curriculum.
Standardized testing is linked to the over-testing of ELL students, teachers losing relationships with their students, and a narrowing / loss of the curriculum for multiple subjects.
An analysis of UK conference costs (academic, scientific, etc.) - finding that individual costs and environmental impact are likely unsustainable vs their (often marginal) implementation rates.
Study follows 6th grade science students on a traditional and PBL track, and finds that students in a PBL setting had better academic, motivational, and attitudinal outcomes.
Showcases how design-based science programs (experiential education & project-based learning) have a positive correlation with STEM teaching.
An overview of Universal Design for Learning and how we must design learning experiences for all learners.
Showcases that students, when given ample time to read, show significant gains in achievement (as opposed to "reading activities.")
Students who scored low in having a life purpose and/or meaning were significantly more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as using dangerous drugs or drinking and driving.
Finds linkages between curiosity and equitable outcomes, framed around traditional assessment
Details on changing the white-centric mathematics curriculum.
A look at how grading and modern educational practices have disempowered students and educators.
A small study which demonstrates how competitive grading of tests led to perceptions on gender-based performance.
Field guide for educators to implement restorative justice techniques at school.
An argument against "teaching to the test" and instead promoting practice that focus on creativity.
An analysis of how successful student-led conferences can be for the development of a child. A specific framework is outlined to acknowledge true success, with warnings detailed on how false or unprepared presentations can decrease learning goals.
Implementation strategies for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, with projects for students.
A framework for schools to share power with learners and fight inequalities.
Summarizes the research on project-based learning from 2010 and before, its benefits and challenges.
Showcases how self-determination and understanding/emphasizing one's own drive for learning is correlated with one's desire to stay in school.
Heavily researched account of why restorative justice is needed in school.
A look at how foreign countries use restorative justice and its implications for United States practice.
When students engaged in mathematics through a social justice lens - looking at math through a real world lens to help others - they learned and engaged more in the subject.
Outlines how to deal with offending behavior without demeaning or destroying someone's reputation or furthering harm.
A full report and collection of research supporting why play is insurmountably important for young people.
Educational study from Australian state standardized testing that concludes high stakes testing is not for the best interests of children.
Every facet of restorative justice, including its definition and how it needs to be implemented in society.
Zhao makes the important case for understanding what he calls the “side-effects” of educational interventions to help us understand that “what works may hurt."
Makes a compelling summary of the main criticisms against the Programme for International Student Assessment, more commonly known as PISA, as well as the consequences of taking PISA at its word and reshaping the educational systems of the world in its image
An analysis of how even though PISA tests don’t seem to be aligned with life satisfaction in countries.
An article detailing why love is needed in educational settings to transform practice.
A collection of essays on school, gender, race, and their intersectionalities - hooks analyzes how teaching can liberate.
An analysis of how class differences impact student behaviors at school.