I. We believe that the School Board is responsible to the public and therefore should attempt to reflect the opinion of the community; however, school board members must look to the future more clearly than is required of the average citizen. The results of many of the decisions and actions of the Board will not be realized at once, but will set the course of education for future years. The Freeman School Board should fearlessly support those educational philosophies and procedures needed to promote an adequate education for this community based upon the needs of the pupil population.

II. The Board should reflect the policies of behavior and lifestyle as required by employees and community.

III. Thefollowing goals and objectives stated as a philosophy of education have been adopted bythe Freeman School Board as a guideline for the operation of the Freeman Schools. We encourage every effort to attain these goals and objectives.

A. Children Are Important

1. Our schools exist for all the children of all the people.
2. We need to know each child as an individual – we need to know the strengths, weaknesses, interests, aspirations and needs of the children.
3. We need to make provisions for all children to participate as individuals and as members of groups in order to:

a. have a sense of belonging.
b. solve problems, plan, decide, act, and evaluate.
c. grow in creative powers.
d. appreciate other people.
e. accept responsibility.

B. To Develop Capable Citizens

All pupils need to learn to be active, functioning citizens of a changing society by:

1. acquiring competence in the basic tools of learning arithmetic, reading, listening, spelling and writing.

2. growing in their knowledge and understanding of geography, history, science and government; in their selection and training for a suitable vocation.

3. living democratically in the schools to acquire a love of and appreciation for the American way of life.

4. enjoying the privileges and accepting the responsibilities of citizenship.

C. In Setting the Stage for Learning

    We believe that learning takes place best when:

1. The experiences planned are in keeping with the developmental growth of pupils.

2. Activities are vital and meaningful to those participating.

3. The experiences are cooperatively planned and carried out by teachers and pupils.

4. A safe and stimulating environment is provided.

5. There are a great variety of learning experiences.

6. Pupils set for themselves high quality standards in work habits and workmanship.

7. Pupils are aware of their own goals and of their progress toward these goals.

IV. We believe that education is a life-long process of growth which, in addition to the accumulation of information, results in changes in behavior – thinking, feeling, proposing and doing; and schools have a responsibility, if possible, to help adults by offering instruction in vocations, vocational interest, home and family life problems and citizenship responsibilities.