# Freedom to Learn > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Freedom_to_Learn > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Freedom_to_Learn.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_to_Learn > Source revision: 1352778117 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Not to be confused with the [Carl Rogers](/source/Carl_Rogers) book, Freedom to Learn: A View of What Education Might Become (1969). **Freedom to Learn** (FTL) is an education program in [Michigan](/source/Michigan) that helps schools create high performing, student-centered learning environments by providing each student and teacher with direct, consistent access to 21st century learning tools. In 2002 the [Michigan Legislature](/source/Michigan_Legislature) and governor dedicated state and federal (Title II, D) funds to a Demonstration Phase education project. Seeing the positive early results, the state expanded the program in 2004. Michigan allocated over $30 million to include over 23,000 students in 100 school districts and 191 buildings - primarily middle schools. - **Freedom to learn** is also *"the freedom of the learning generation."* [Leo Tolstoy](/source/Leo_Tolstoy) wrote: Don't be afraid ! There will be Latin and rhetoric, and they will exist in another hundred years, simply because the medicine is bought, so we must drink it (as a patient said). I doubt whether the thoughts which I have expressed perhaps indistinctly, awkwardly, inconclusively, will become generally accepted in another hundred years; it is not likely that within a hundred years all those ready-made institutions-schools, gymnasia, and universities -- will die, and that within that time there will grow freely formed institutions, having for their basis the freedom of the learning generation.[1] — "Education and Instruction," Leo Tolstoy, 1860. ## FTL goals - Enhance student learning and achievement in core academic subjects with an emphasis on developing the knowledge and skills requisite to the establishment of a 21st-century workforce in Michigan. - Provide greater access to equal educational opportunities statewide through ubiquitous access to technology. - Foster effective use of the wireless technology through systematic professional development for teachers, administrators and staff. - Empower parents and caregivers with the tools to become more involved in their child's education. - Support innovative structural changes in participating schools and sharing of best practices among Program participants. FTL offers the training and resources necessary to transform schools. A rigorous and comprehensive evaluation gauges program impacts. ### Education in a free society - The ability to function in a free,[2] democratic society as full participants in community affairs; a society where every citizen, regardless of age, color, religion, or belief, shows full respect for everyone else, treating all people as equals in all matters - The ability to think creatively and meet new challenges[3] - Develop children into a responsible adult[4] - Help children to become flexible thinkers, to be confident in their ability to make decisions and to take responsibility for their own lives as well as for their communities.[5] ## See also - [Sudbury Model of democratic schools](/source/Sudbury_model) ## References 1. [Paul Biryukov](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Author%3APaul_Birukoff) (1911). [*Chapter 14*](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Leo_Tolstoy%3A_His_Life_and_Work%2FChapter_14), Leo Tolstoy: His Life and Work. Retrieved April 5, 2010. 1. [Greenberg, D](/source/Daniel_Greenberg_(educator)) (1992). [*Freedom Nurtures Culture and Learning*](https://books.google.com/books?id=YQn_BA76TF4C&dq=Freedom+learning++Education+in+America+Sudbury+Valley+School&pg=PA14), Education in America: a view from [Sudbury Valley](/source/Sudbury_Valley_School). Retrieved April 5, 2010. 1. [Greenberg, D](/source/Daniel_Greenberg_(educator)) (1992). [*The Goals of Education in a Free Society*](https://books.google.com/books?id=YQn_BA76TF4C&dq=Education+in+America+Greenberg+The+Goals+of+Education+in+a+Free+Society&pg=PA63), Education in America: a view from [Sudbury Valley](/source/Sudbury_Valley_School). Retrieved February 7, 2010. 1. Greenberg, Daniel (1992). [*Education in America: A View from Sudbury Valley*](https://books.google.com/books?id=YQn_BA76TF4C&dq=Should+School-Age+Children+Hold+Jobs?+Education+in+America:+a+view+from+Sudbury+Valley.&pg=PA96). The Sudbury Valley School. ISBN 978-1-888947-07-6. 1. Greenberg, H (1992). [*To Thyself be True*](https://books.google.com/books?id=-UMqvLEcH0wC&dq=To+Thyself+be+True,+The+Sudbury+Valley+School+Experience&pg=PA206), The [Sudbury Valley School](/source/Sudbury_Valley_School) Experience. Retrieved February 8, 2010. ## External links - [Freedom to Learn homepage](http://www.ftlwireless.org) - [Hale to the Program](http://www.thejournal.com/the/newsletters/thefocus/archives/?aid=18114) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071227231503/http://www.thejournal.com/the/newsletters/thefocus/archives/?aid=18114) 2007-12-27 at the Wayback Machine - [Students Taking Charge](http://www.thejournal.com/the/newsletters/thefocus/archives/?aid=18139) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071227232715/http://www.thejournal.com/the/newsletters/thefocus/archives/?aid=18139) 2007-12-27 at the Wayback Machine - [The Missing Link](https://archive.today/20060209204903/http://www.thejournal.com/the/newsletters/thefocus/currentissue/) - [Sudbury Valley School homepage](http://www.sudval.org/) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Freedom to Learn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_to_Learn) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_to_Learn?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.