History
After the general elections in 1991, Sweden implemented educational reforms that gave all students the right to choose between municipal schools and independent schools that were owned by parent co-operatives, foundations or companies. Many new schools started, with new operating methods, pedagogical approaches and ambitious goals.
In 1999, Swedish serial entrepreneur Peje Emilsson decided to start the school he did not have as a child – a school based on the idea that all people are different, and where learning is foremost. The new brand – Kunskapsskolan, freely translated as "The Knowledge School" in English – captured Peje's vision.
In August 2000, Kunskapsskolan opened its first four secondary schools in the Greater Stockholm area, and in the town of Norrköping.
In Norrköping, the two teachers Birgitta Ericson and Torbjörn Bindekrans struggled with the idea that education is structured to fit everyone in the class. Like all other teachers in traditional schools, Birgitta and Torbjörn had to keep their teaching at a level that targeted the average performers, who only represented one-third of the students. One-third could not keep up with this level, while the ablest one-third tended to get extremely bored.
Based on the insight that it is impossible to teach in the same way at the same pace if you want every student to be successful, Birgitta and Torbjörn created several new methods that put the student at the center of the learning process – personal goals, personal coaching and personal learning strategies for each individual. Their successful trials with the new ideas at their school made them a name across Sweden and beyond. And so, Peje invited them to join forces. Based on their shared belief in personalized education, they formed an inspired team and developed a complete teaching and learning model that is unique to Kunskapsskolan and possible to connect with any curriculum and school around the world – the KED Program. (KED stands for Kunskapsskolan Education.)
The KED Program is constantly developing based on teachers' and students’ contributions and experiences. We are comfortable to try new methods, as we always stay true to the principal idea that everyone is different and learns in different ways, at different rates. This is the opposite of the traditional concept for schools, in which education is pre-programmed, packaged and delivered in the same way to batches of 30 students per classroom.
The successful expansion of Kunskapsskolan in Sweden attracts large interest worldwide. The KED Program is recognized for its academic achievement based on personalized education, and its focus on the knowledge and skills that students need in a future yet unknown.
As a result of the large interest in Kunskapsskolan's methodology and achievements, the KED Program is currently used in six countries on three continents.
Personalized Education
Students need to discuss their learning with their teachers, just like athletes discuss their training and progress with their coach. In the KED Program, every student has one teacher dedicated to him or her. Through personal coaching sessions, this teacher challenges the student's critical thinking, nurture trust in her own ability and stimulate her will to learn.
The Kunskapsskolan schools are among the leading schools of Sweden. The success of its KED Program can be judged not only by students’ performance being higher than the Swedish national average, but also by the growth of KED schools across international boundaries. Currently, over 100 KED schools and KED Inspired schools are operational across Sweden, UK, the Netherlands, India, USA and the Middle East. The schools follow the curriculum of each country and grade student performance according to national standards.
Kunskapsskolan Education,
Box 11205, SE-100 61 Stockholm, Sweden
Tel +46 8-506 910 00