Can this be school? by Deb O’Rourke

ALPHA

A Lot of Parents Hoping for an Alternative began in the idealistic 70s in Toronto, a school with no homework, no grades and no tests. Policies were decided in open meetings among teachers, parents and students. After struggling though “chaos”, the school found its way. But then educational trends swung back to just-the-basics and rigid structures. ALPHA’s struggle to maintain its principles and survive for fifty years (and counting) is the subject of Deb O’Rourke’s passionate and engaging book.

Deb O’Rourke

Professional artist, journalist and educator, Deb O’Rourke’s lifelong commitment to education reform began in high school, when she and her friends created their own free school. In 1985, she enrolled her son in ALPHA, a self-governing alternative school within the Toronto public school system and became a committed participant for over ten years. As a visting artist, she taught visual art in over 20 schools. In 2004 she returned to ALPHA as volunteer coordinator, and began researching ALPHA’s history and culture, while earning a Masters degree in Education.