On the heels of the nonconformist 1960s, an idea spread throughout the nation that learning would mimic the environment that housed it.
Strict rows of desks and small, boxy classrooms were equated to prisons, certainly not an environment where young minds would flourish. The secret to open minds was open classrooms, or so thought many educators in the early 1970s. The idea manifested itself in unconventional new school buildings without classroom walls.
| History of open classrooms According to Larry Cuban’s “Whatever Happened to the Open Classroom” the movement originated in British public schools following World War II and then spread to the U.S. by the late 1960s and 1970s. |
In 1974, the pinnacle of the open classroom movement, Westmont High School was built in a unique circular structure with no doors and class areas divided by movable partitions.
But like disco and lava lamps, open classrooms fell quickly from grace. Now Community Unit School District 201 officials may be starting to take a harder look at renovations.
The district recently hired a new architectural firm, Cashman Stahler Group. During a presentation to School Board last month, principal architect Stephen Cashman emphasized the firm’s experience converting open classrooms into closed ones.
Community Unit School District 201 board President Elizabeth Durrani said there is always talk about closing up the classrooms, but the question is where to find the money. She added a committee is being formed at the end of January to discuss potential building projects.
“Educationally, I think it would be a great idea,” said Westmont High School Principal Steve Carr.
In his book “America’s Public Schools: From the Common School to ‘No Child Left Behind,’” William Reese attributes the decline of open classrooms to an acceleration of the standardized testing movement and the popularity of a “back-to-basics” mind set.
Westmont High School teachers agree the open classroom design can be problematic come testing time. Science teacher Lisa Hootman said some students manage the circumstance, but many others report that noise can be a problem.
“Each spring during (Advanced Placement) and other exams, one or more students complain about the noise from surrounding rooms making it difficult to concentrate,” Hootman said. “The distractions of students in hallways and noise in the commons (particularly during lunch time) can also be a problem.”
School shootings nationwide also have stepped up emphasis on security and open classrooms have flaws in the event of a necessary lockdown.
