Evaluation of Free Alternative Schools

Evaluation of Free Alternative Schools

The number of private schools in Germany has increased significantly in recent years. At the same time, there is still too little empirical knowledge about whether they actually live up to their respective claims (e.g. individualized and holistic support for students). Previous studies conducted on this topic by the Department of Educational Science at Alanus University had so far focused on Waldorf schools (graduate study, student and teacher surveys) as well as Montessori schools. In 2011, the Federal Association of Free Alternative Schools in Berlin approached Alanus University with the request to also carry out an evaluation of the schools it represents.

 

The research group led by Prof. Dr. Dirk Randoll therefore decided to conduct a survey of students in grades 9 and 10 at Free Alternative Schools. For this purpose, 40 of the total 117 schools organized within the federal association are eligible. Evaluation studies of this kind primarily aim to compare the pedagogical approach in practice (in this case as understood from the students’ perspective). As a rule, this provides important indications for teacher education and professional development, but above all for the need to change organizational and methodological conditions at schools. For Free Alternative Schools, such an evaluation study means that their practice is reflected by academia, thereby increasing their chances of being taken more seriously in educational science as well.

 

The study was financially supported by the Software AG Foundation and completed at the end of 2014.

In April 2018, SWR aired a radio feature on Free Alternative Schools, in which the researchers involved in this study also have their say.

 

Project management:

Prof. Dr. Dirk Randoll; Dr. Ines Graudenz; Dr. Jürgen Peters