Observations of instruction, discussions with students, and interviews with teachers revealed that a variety of factors contribute to environments that support learning. The nature of the teachers' work, their multiple roles, and their high sense of purpose about their work are addressed below. All the teachers visited talked about consciously establishing a safe physical, psychological and social environment for their students and emphasized how critical this was to the success of their respective programs. In essence, they have changed the rules in order to create a more egalitarian community of learners. The atmosphere is informal.
Students are often on a first-name basis with their teachers.
School hours are flexible to meet students' work and family responsibilities. The policy on wearing baseball caps is more often negotiated than dictated. The students get breaks when they need them. When personal crises arise, they are dealt with immediately with the teacher, not postponed or buried until school is over. Teamwork with each other and with the teacher often replaces competition.