The philosophy of education in the Washington Township Schools is structured upon the belief in the importance and autonomy of the individual child. The educational program that evolves from a philosophy of individualization supports and enhances individual differences, while minimizing comparisons and competition between children.
The individual child is the focus for all programming and curriculum development. Since no two children are alike in all respects, the district philosophy of individualization requires attention to individual differences. The unique qualities, patterns of growth, and learning styles of each child are respected and developed through diagnostic-prescriptive approaches of the educational program. Individualization presupposes concern for the whole child. Physical, intellectual, social, and emotional factors are all of equal importance, and cannot be separated in instructional programming. As a result, the educational program is strongly humanistic and flexible to meet the needs of all children and integrated so that the totality of the learning experience is maintained.
The philosophy of individualization embodies the responsibility of identifying and developing the potential of every child to the fullest possible extent in all areas of concern. We recognize that learning, growth and development are natural and spontaneous processes in children. We believe, therefore, that the schools must support, encourage, and facilitate these natural processes so that the child's innate curiosity and love of learning continue beyond the school environment and throughout the entire lifetime of the individual.
In the schools of Washington Township, the basic structure of the disciplines brings order and sequence to the curriculum and the guided learning process. The individual child's diagnosed learning style, rate, background, and capabilities, and natural interests guide the manner in which he/she can most effectively progress through the educational program. Flexibility, variety, and collaboration in staff, resources, and materials utilization support the emphasis on individual differences.
The long term goal to which the educational philosophy of the Washington Township Schools is directed is the development of intelligent, productive and self-sufficient citizens, capable of effectively, fulfilling their roles in the family, community, national, and world society.