Ted Sizer died this past Wednesday.

Though I never met or studied with him, I never cease to marvel at how much the policies, techniques, and thinking that he published and advocated over the years have become part of our daily approaches and school routines- from writing with teacher feedback, to flexible scheduling, to building relationships with students.

So much change that’s become part of secondary education through the past 25+ years seems to begin with Sizer (and Dewey).

It’s a great time to meet or reacquaint oneself with Ted Sizer’s seminal work Horace’s Compromise along with the practice and pedagogical organization of Sizer’s work, the Coalition of Essential Schools.

Sizer’s writing and the Coalition’s work affect almost every student every day.

Among posts Sizer held through his life- Headmaster, Philips Academy; Dean, Harvard Graduate School of Education; and, Director, Annenberg Institute for School Reform.

New York Times Obituary: “Theodore R. Sizer, Leading Education-Reform Advocate, Dies at 77”

Photo credit: Education Review

Related posts:

1. No Answers But Good Admission Thinking
2. The Lawrenceville School Reflects on 200 Years and Looks Toward the Future
3. Ask Me Why Boarding School? Relationships
4. From Canada to India-Sedbergh Students Blog at 2009 Round Square Conference
5. Holiday Mindfulness