About Us
Paradigm Alternative Centers, Inc (dba Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum & System)(PACS) was founded by Ronald E. and Nancy S. Johnson in 1994 in an abandoned Mexican Restaurant with two bullet holes in the front window. PACS was among the first contract schools authorized by the Texas Legislature in 1993. PAC entered a contract with the Dublin Independent School District to provide educational services to at-risk teenagers. The unique PACS concept of virtue-based, accelerated, individualized learning began to attract under-performing teenagers who recruited their peers. In 1996, PACS was recognized in USA Today newspaper among the nation's 58 most effective programs for recovering at-risk teens.
Dr. Gene Hood of Indianapolis, Indiana learned about PACS and became a significant financial supporter, enabling Dr. Johnson to begin publishing textbooks specifically designed to recover teenagers, especially those who are father-challenged. Today, PACS is assisting educational reformers and entrepreneurs from Maine to California with curriculum, training and a Campus Operations Manual. The unique PACS one room high school concept can be implemented in 22 days after approval from applicable state and local agencies. For more information see "Founder", "Curriculum", "Training" and "Articles".
Ronald E. Johnson, C. Ph.D
Founder/CEO
Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum founder and CEO Ronald E. Johnson, Ph.D. is a recognized educational innovator. He is married to Nancy (Foster). They have been happily married since college days at the University of Arizona. Both majored in education. Dr. Johnson earned two post-graduate degrees at the University of Arizona and a C. Ph.D from the International Institute. He was awarded a L.L.D. from Louisiana Baptist University.
Dr. Johnson is a certified school administrator, author, seminar speaker and entrepreneur. He has conducted educational projects throughout the world, including Hispanic populations in Central and South America. He was appointed to Arizona and Texas Textbook Selection Panels and the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills Review Panel. He was among the first entrepreneurs to design and operate for-profit store-front contract schools in Texas.
Dr. Johnson founded Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum (PAC) because he saw a need for a learning environment and curriculum that addresses problems related to under performing schools, fatherless students, and declining virtues, while allowing students to work at a pace best suited for them as individuals.
Dr. Johnson grew up in a dysfunctional at-risk family with an abusive father. Both parents were violently murdered when Ronald was a teenager. An older brother was murdered a few years later for an insurance contract. Jobs as forest ranger, clerk in a gun store and bookkeeper in a citrus packing plant helped pay for college expenses and a B.A. Degree. Teaching and administrative jobs in public and private schools provided experience that earned awards and respect. Dr. Johnson was listed in Who's Who in Arizona Education, published Three R's and A Big Hug through Economics Press, was among the top 60 educators in America sponsored by the Ford Foundation. He was a public school Administrator before age 30. He helped develop and administer a large textbook publishing company for 21 years. He has published and/or conducted seminars on such timely subjects as "Working With Single Parent Moms," "Educating At-Risk Youth," "Why Standards?," "Helping Hyperactive Teens," "Individualized Learning," "Starting and Operating a Charter or Contract School," "How to Make a Man of a Boy", "Six Principles of Education," and "Harriet Tubman's Other Railroad." He was a featured guest on 60 Minutes with Harry Reasoner. USA Today newspaper recognized Dr. Johnson's school as among America's top 50 effective programs for recovering at-risk youth.
Dr. Johnson is a member of: National Association of Independent Businesses, Association of American Educators, and Small Publishers Association of North America. He served as president of the Dublin Rotary Club. He and Nancy are active in a local church. He serves on the Boy Scouts Commanche Trail Council in central Texas.
The Center for Educational Reform (CER) listed Dr. Johnson among America's "Action Heroes" in recognition of his achievements in educational reform.
Dr. Johnson is available as a Conference Speaker on such topics as the following:
- Accelerated Individualized Learning
- Dad's Role in the Home Education
- Rescuing at-risk teenagers
- Working with single parents
- Virtues and principles
- Six Principles of Learning
- The role of student interviews
- Incentives and rewards
- Recover initiatives for under performers
- Recovering angry, fatherless boys left behind
Ronald E. Johnson, C. Ph.D
Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum & System (PAC)
P0 Box 3159
Early, Texas 76802
Ph: 325-649-0976
Fax: 325-649-0998
E-mail: learn@pacworks.com
www.pacworks.com or www.pacworks.biz
Mission
The mission of Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum (PAC) is to provide for students an accelerated learning system and principle-based core curriculum specifically designed to address the character, academics and emotional needs of students who have under-performed in conventional classrooms despite the best efforts of teachers using standard practices and textbooks.
To that objective, PAC publishes soft-cover 8-1/2" by 11" textbooks and computer-based audio texts with companion student activity books for math, science, U.S. History, and English for grades seven through twelve. PAC offers staff training in an individualized, accelerated learning system based on The Six Principles of Learning, designed by internationally-recognized educator, Ronald E. Johnson, C. Ph.D Teachers may request a free 26-minute CD which illustrates application of the Six Principles of Learning.
The website menu selections express the scope and focus of Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum and System, and suggest application of PAC in school settings ranging from school within a school, multiple course non-graded rooms, standard classrooms, alternative placement settings, drop-out recovery programs, leaver-prevention initiatives, accelerated learning centers, and homes.