In memory of Dirk Randoll
It is with great dismay that we at the Pedagogical Research Centre have learned of the sudden death of Dirk Randoll on 8.12.2021. He was 64 years old and had been a project manager at the Software AG Foundation since 1999. He initiated and promoted research projects for the Waldorf school movement with much inner commitment.
The study published in 2007 ”Graduates of Waldorf Schools. An Empirical Study on Education and Life Shaping“, published in 2007, was a milestone in Waldorf research from today's perspective. This is emphasised by Jost Schieren, Dean of the Faculty of Education at the Alanus University in Alfter, in his academic tribute. Randoll became a professor at Alanus University in 2004 and was head of the Institute for Educational Science and Empirical Social Research there until 2017. In January 2021, his latest publication appeared together with Jürgen Peters: ”Wir waren auf der Waldorfschule.“ Again an empirical graduate survey.
One of his great interests was also in the field of media and media education.Today we bow to Dirk Randoll and his life's work, which is a real milestone for research on Waldorf schools. His findings from the 2007 survey prompted extensive development work in various critical teaching areas he identified, which continues to this day. Our thoughts are full of sympathy for the bereaved family, staff and friends.
Christian Boettger, Managing Director Pädagogische Forschungsstelle
All news in this category

Last Stand in War on Childhood?
Kindergarten and preschool teachers everywhere are struggling to preserve play. [more]

New world school list online
Twice a year a new version of the world school list is published. The updated version for the first half of 2015 is online now. [more]

Rudolf Steiner's Four Guiding Principles to Being a Great Waldorf Inspired Teacher
Using Rudolf Steiner's Closing remarks to the lecture cycle known as Practical Advice to Teachers, as a guide, Joseph Anthony offers his own unique... [more]

Body, soul and spirit
Ulrich Weger (University Witten/Hedecke) and Johannes Wagemann (Alanus Hochschule Alfter) have published an article in the renowned professional... [more]

A Second Enlightenment in the Making?
In the Huffington Post, popular scientist, organisational developer and anthroposophically motivated thinker Otto Scharmer speaks about his recent... [more]
Domestic report: Germany
All in all, Waldorf schools in Germany have a total of about 83’000 pupils and employ 9000 teachers. [more]
TTIP-Update: Success in the Plenary in Strasbourg
Given the numerous protests against the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), it is not surprising that the public debate has been... [more]

Phases of Teenage Development and Waldorf High School Curriculum
In broad strokes, each of the four years in the Waldorf high school curriculum embodies an underlying theme and method that helps guide students not... [more]

Waldorf and Montessori: How do they compare?
The Waldorf and Montessori movements are both holistic, child centered approaches to learning. Both movements began in similar times, in similar... [more]
Early Academic Training Produces Long-Term Harm
Research reveals negative effects of academic preschools and kindergartens. [more]