Imagine what would happen if, instead of sending children to conventional schools where their natural ways of learning are curtailed, we provided them with the resources that would allow their curiosity, playfulness, and other natural ways of learning to flourish. That is “Self-Directed-Education” (SDE): education that derives from the self-chosen activities and life experiences of the learner.
The Alliance for Self-Directed Education (ASDE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to normalizing and legitimizing Self-Directed Education, to make it available to everyone who seeks it.
Our Vision
We envision a world where young people’s human rights are respected and upheld, which includes the freedom to direct their lives and education; and where Self-Directed Education (SDE) is widely embraced, accepted, and available to all families regardless of their status, race, or income.
Our Mission
The Alliance for Self-Directed Education (ASDE) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to increasing accessibility and awareness of Self-Directed Education as a way of living and learning, and connecting the communities and voices of the movement.
Our Work
We have several major initiatives including Tipping Points, our Resource Directory, facilitation of local SDE groups, and more.
The Values of the Alliance
We value the agency of young people, and joyful and fulfilling lives for all. We steer towards this by destroying obstacles like ableism and white supremacy while holding space for young people’s embodiment of liberation through play and curiosity as much as possible in the here and now. Community is both a practice and a path in this work.
