Waldorf education: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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Waldorf education is based on [[anthroposophy]], a [[spiritual philosophy]] developed by [[Rudolf Steiner]] (1861-1925). Steiner described three seven-year stages of child development. In the first stage, early childhood, emphasis is on imitative learning of worthwhile skills. During the elementary school years, the emphasis is on developing pupils' artistic expression and social capacities, fostering both creative and analytical modes of understanding. In the third stage, the emphasis is on encouraging critical understanding and fostering idealism. Throughout, the approach cultivates the role of the imagination in learning and places a strong value on integrating academic, practical and artistic pursuits.

The educational philosophy's overarching goals are intended to provide young people the basis upon which to develop into [[Freedom (philosophy)|free]], [[morality|morally responsible]], and integrated individuals. Teachers generally use [[formative assessments|formative (qualitative) assessments]] rather than [[summative assessments|summative (quantitative) assessments]], particularly in the pre-adolescent years. The schools have a high degree of autonomy to decide how best to construct their curricula and govern themselves. Waldorf studentseducation havehas drawnbeen praisefound forto beingfoster well-roundeda andhigh well-[[Socialization|socialized]]degree peopleof social competency.<ref name=Ullrich/>{{Citation neededrp|date=January 2013190}}<ref name=Woods/>{{rp|4}}

In central Europe, where most of the schools are located,<ref name=schulliste/>the Waldorf approach has achieved general acceptance as a model of alternative education.<ref>"The Free Waldorf School inspired by Steiner has not stirred comparable discussion or controversy....those interested in the Waldorf School today, be they pedagogically enthusiastic parents, educational scholars, or politicians responsible for education, generally tend to view this school form first and foremost as a representative of internationally recognized models of applied classic reform pedagogy." Ullrich, ''Rudolf Steiner'', p. 140-141</ref> Elsewhere, controversies have occurred in which Waldorf education has been accused of discouraging immunization and questions have been raised about Steiner's [[Rudolf steiner#Race_and_ethnicity|views on race]]. The Waldorf movement has said that concerns over its stance on these matters are unfounded. Waldorf schools have also been viewed as teaching [[pseudoscience]] and promoting [[homeopathy]]. Waldorf spokespeople have responded that Waldorf schools do not promote any single approach to science or medicine. In the United States there has been opposition to Waldorf education gaining public funding, on the grounds that it is a "religious" education and violates the [[establishment clause]] of the United States Constitution. The Waldorf movement has denied it is religious, and successfully defended that position in court.