Invitational education

Invitational Education (IE) is an educational theory of practice introduced by co-founders Dr. William Watson Purkey and Dr. Betty Siegel of the International Alliance for Invitational Education (IAIE). Purkey is professor emeritus of counselor education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and writes prolifically as a catalyst for school improvement. In addition, Dr. John Novak, professor emeritus at Brock University in Ontario, Canada, is a primary contributor to the development of Invitational Theory and Practice, authoring numerous books on the subject and lecturing internationally.

IE emphasizes the importance of internal knowledge in relation to external connections to the outside world and existing educational systems. A key feature of IE is positive self-concept developed through a school environment that leads to more productivity.

Purkey writes, "At its heart, Invitational Education is an imaginative act of hope that explains how human potential can be realized. It identifies and changes the forces that defeat and destroy people. Invitational Education is designed to create and enhance human environments that cordially summon people to realize their potential in all areas of worthwhile human endeavor." "Invitational Education asserts that organizations are never neutral. Everything and everybody either adds to or subtracts from an existing culture. Invitational Education offers concrete, practice, safe, successful and democratic solutions for problems that routinely harm organizations and the people within them."

Invitational Education recognizes five Domains which comprise everyone and every thing in an organization. The Domains include People, Places, Policies, Programs and Processes. These domains will either build or destroy intellectual, social, physical, emotional and moral potential for stakeholders. Adjusting these domains, Invitational Education's theory and practices have been embedded in schools around the world at all levels, from nursery schools to universities. In addition, Invitational Education has strengthened health care facilities, businesses, non-profits, worship centers and families.

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