Alternatives Quote by Seymour Papert
“Undoubtedly, there are kids with intellectual deficiencies or neurological problems. But a lot of kids shunted into special education classes are deficient only in a willingness to conform to the school pattern.They are just honest, brave kids who say, "I just won't take that, and I don't believe in what you're doing." If you give them an alternative to the usual classroom, they break free of a lot of inhibitions and bad associations, and they begin to learn.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Education conference, 1995
Students labeled as deficient often resist conformity; offering alternative learning environments unlocks their potential.
In simple terms: Alternative education frees resistant learners.
Key Takeaway
Provide flexible, student‑centered learning.
Themes
education
conformity
empowerment
creativity
Mood
hopeful
challenging
Type
educational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- special education classrooms
- project‑based learning
- alternative schools
Key Concepts
Constructivism
learning autonomy
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternatives could engage resistant students?
- How can schools balance standards with freedom?
A Different Perspective
Not all students thrive in non‑traditional settings.
![“We often treat children as if they're not very competent to do anything on their own. So we make them stop learning in a natural way - by exploring. Logo [the computer programming language ] allows them to find their way around the computer, as they would find their way around the house…” quote by Seymour Papert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a37/seymour-papert-12175_bureaucracy_we-often-treat-children-as-if-they-re-no_185813.jpg)
![“[When asked how it felt to be a female prime minister:] I don't know: I've never experienced the alternative.” quote by Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/324/margaret-thatcher-463_alternatives_when-asked-how-it-felt-to-be-a-female-pr_15081.jpg)
