Concepts such as "authentic assessment," "real-life learning," and "self-direction" appear everywhere educators are struggling to modify public school programs and evaluation instruments to raise student performance levels. There are some programs in operation which do, in fact, offer some of these benefits. One of them, the External Diploma Program (EDP), was originally conceptualized by Nick Collis in 1970 and has since been adopted as an adult education program in twelve states.

But EDP still operates outside the public school system. The kinds of changes proposed and being implemented by state departments of education still lie within a curriculum framework and rely on more numerous and more rigorous written tests as evaluation instruments. They do not even try to provide what is really needed: a new approach to learning. The articles at this web site present some of Nick Collis's ideas and successful programs in the field of external education--education that goes beyond school walls into the real world.

Basic Principles The External Diploma Program
The Talent Pool Reserve