German Education Research Group

The Education Research Group has existed since 1984 as an independent association within the Bund der Freien Waldorfschulen. Members are the members of the Bund themselves.

Address

Pädagogische Forschungsstelle beim Bund der Freien Waldorfschulen
Wagenburgstr. 6
70184 Stuttgart

Phone: (0711) 21042 35
Fax: (0711) 21042 19
Homepage: www.forschung-waldorf.de
E-Mail: forschung@waldorfschule.de

Tasks and aims

  1. Realisation and support of research in the following fields:
    1. Evaluation and further development of Waldorf Education
    2. contributions for individual subjects and special fields of interest
    3. studies on and examinations of social, pedagogical and scientific questions
  2. Publication of texts, teaching material and aids
  3. Organisation of symposia, further education and colloquia concerning actual pedagogical and scientific questions.

Publications

The results achieved in the Education Research Group often lead to publications. Organs for smaller contributions are the “Lehrerrundbrief” or the “Erziehungskunst”. The “Verlag Freies Geistesleben” is authorised to publish books of general interest. Most books of this publisher which refer directly to pedagogical questions are therefore given comprehensive advisory assistance by the Research Group.

Furthermore there exist a great number of own publications which can be obtained as manuscripts partly in Kassel, partly in Gerlingen/Stuttgart – mainly in order to supply Waldorf teachers with reasonably priced material.

Promotion of research and publishing projects

The research group concludes research contracts with lecturers and instructors of teacher training centres, with Waldorf teachers and with other independent scientists – often it is this group of people who ask the Research Group for support of their special projects. Often the Research Group is contacted only when important results are to be published.

Working method

The promotion of research and/or publishing projects are decided upon by the board together with the advisory committee of the Research Group.

Financing

The Education Research Group is basically financed by the Bund der Freien Waldorfschulen which covers the running costs of administration and part of the project costs.

In addition, funds for research projects are raised through foundations. During the last few years the Mahlestiftung, the Damus Stiftung, the Software AG Stiftung, the Kreutzerstiftung, the Zukunftsstiftung Bildung of the GTS as well as private donors proved to be reliable and generous sources of funds.

Directory of further education

The Education Research Group publishes an annual catalogue of further education which lists all offers in the field of further education in and around Waldorf schools and teacher training centres.