ERIC Number: ED400948
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1996-Sep
Reference Count: N/A
The Comparative Status of the Creative Thinking Ability of Waldorf Education Students: A Survey.
Ogletree, Earl J.
Waldorf Education, founded by Rudolf Steiner in 1919, is based on the philosophy of critical idealism, in which teachers assist in the natural unfolding of children's preexistent possibilities. But because there has been little research on Waldorf Education, few data have been gathered on the effectiveness of its teaching methods and organizational structure, or on students achievement. An international study was conducted to determine if there was a significant difference between the creative thinking ability of Waldorf students and state school students in England, Scotland, and Germany. The hypothesis was that disparate educational practices in Waldorf and state schools were influenced by disparate educational philosophies. The sample consisted of 1,165 third through sixth grade children--479 English, 193 Scottish, and 493 German students. The findings obtained from administration of the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking Ability, suggested that Waldorf students were more creative than their state school peers. Particular credit for this was given to the maturational-readiness and nurturing curriculum of the Waldorf Schools, which includes: having the same teacher follow students from grades 1 to 8; de-emphasis on academic performance in early grades; use of art in instruction; and other teaching and curriculum considerations. (Contains 20 references.) (BGC)
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers: England; Germany; Scotland; Steiner (Rudolf); Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking