240 Day school year. U.S. 180 days. Easy, relaxed discipline, quick pace, high degree of student participation. Students were engaged, lively and active. Students correct one another.
Peers are the source of validation or correction.
Teachers try to stay in the background when it comes to academic material. Report cards are reports of competencies. Grades have nothing to do with advancement in school. It is all tied to standardized tests. Ellen reported that her teacher had been absent all day but the students went on by following her written instructions.