ED400948 PS024589
Title: The Comparative Status of the Creative Thinking Ability of
Waldorf Education Students: A Survey.
Author(s): Ogletree, Earl J.
Pages: 12
Publication Date: September 1996
Available from: EDRS Price MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.
Language: English
Document Type: Reports--Research (143)
Geographic Source: U.S.; Illinois
Journal Announcement: RIEMAR1997
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)
Descriptors: *Academic Achievement; Cognitive Style; Comparative
Analysis; Creative Development; *Creative Thinking; Creativity Tests;
*Educational Theories; Elementary Education; Foreign Countries;
*Nontraditional Education; Outcomes of Education; State Schools;
Teaching Methods; Thinking Skills
Identifiers: England; Germany; Scotland; Steiner (Rudolf); Torrance
Tests of Creative Thinking; *Waldorf Educational Theory; *Waldorf
Schools
