Arizona State University reports on an innovative partnership with University Public Schools.  Polytechnic Elementary, a public school/university partnership, looks much like a homeschool in a public environment.  Even though it took ‘cutting edge’ university research, it looks like Polytechnic Elementary in Arizona is finally breaking the mold on the lecture-based, ‘drill-and-kill’ curriculum in favor of project-based, student-centered learning!  Students use Apple laptops to research areas of interest, produce reports in video format and take on subjects normally saved for older children.  Another interesting change is that these elementary students are taught by university professors.  Kids are rarely sitting at their desks listening to the teacher.  Instead, kids are participating in their own learning — from creating podcasts to working on group projects.  Sound familiar?  I think it is fantastic that what seemed obvious to us is now touted as ‘innovative’ and ‘astounding’.  What we call eclectic homeschooling is now innovative public school education!  Yay.