Schools across North America may currently fall on a continuum stretching between the boundaries of completely progressive and completely traditional - or, more precisely, on a continuum reflecting the various components of each model. (Kohn, 2008). For many generations, the traditional educational model has been and continues to be widely accepted and practiced (Wile, n.d.). Teachers who practice this educational approach are keen to transmit a body of factual and cultural knowledge to students. The curriculum traditionally emphasizes the importance of textbooks for acquiring knowledge and the accuracy of the learner's understanding of that knowledge, which is objectively tested or measured at the end of the term (Kohn, 2008 ). Progressive principles have never been the predominant mode of education, with public systems of public education aimed primarily at achieving cultural uniformity, not diversity, and at educating respectful, non-judgmental citizens. The term “progressive” emerged in the 1890s and was further studied and applied by philosopher and educator John Dewey (Gutek, 1991). In the 21st century, progressive educators have implemented ideas and practices aimed at making schools more effective agents of a democratic society; it involves the participation of all citizens in social, political and economic decisions that will affect their lives. To achieve this, educators encourage free activity, experiential learning, and a student-centered curriculum to cultivate individuality, equality, and diversity (Columbia University, 2013). While Dewey circulated his ideas in numerous books, lectures, and articles, and went so far as to establish a laboratory school to test his theories, there was still strong resistance against...... middle of paper. ..... In Sociology of Education, Stephen Ball writes that the average middle-class parent prefers the practices studied in progressive education (Ball, 2000, p.1585), where their child is strongly encouraged to cultivate their individuality (Bruce, 2013, p.7). ). The teaching techniques and approaches currently used in community-based learning, hackschooling, and homeschooling correlate strongly with Dewey's core principles outlined in progressive education. Through these deviant techniques, students gain the ability to care about their work to motivate them more, as Dewey's dualism suggests. Modern teaching techniques do not hinder students; rather, they promote individual growth and enrich the student experience through cooperative, democratic inquiry, allowing students to pursue the uncertain future in which they express interest..