Testing and a commitment to the "whole child"

Those successful schools with holistic approaches to the commitment of the whole child do not to assess and measure students like the traditional public school in the U.S. Below is an excerpt from an article written by a parent to answer some basic questions on Montessori and Waldorf schooling:

Waldorf is rooted in anthroposophy. This philosophy believes that in order to understand the workings of the universe, people must first have an understanding of humanity. Montessori and Waldorf recognize and respect a child's need for rhythm and order in his daily routine. Both Montessori and Waldorf have a strong sense of societal reform built into their teaching. They believe in developing the whole child, teaching it to think for itself and, above all, showing it how to avoid violence. These are beautiful ideals which will help build a better world for the future. Montessori and Waldorf use non-traditional methods of assessments. Testing and grading are not part of either methodology. -http://www.privateschool.about.com/

More information on the holistic approach to learning in early childhood is expressed on Waldorf Education website, here is an excerpt:

Sensory integration, eye-hand coordination, appreciating the beauty of language, sequencing, and other basic skills necessary for the foundation of academic learning are fostered in the kindergarten. In this truly loving, natural and creative environment, children are provided with a range of activities to prepare them for later learning and for life itself.

From Windows into Waldorf, by David Mitchell (used with the permission of the author)

-from http://www.iaswece.org/

In many parts of the world Waldorf schools have started and grown, bringing the holistic roots of the their country into the learning institution. Here is an excerpt on Waldorf in India:

            In 1997 the first Waldorf Kindergarten opened its doors in Hyderabad. In the             following years, four additional Waldorf or Waldorf-inspired-schools came into existence, as well as one in Mumbai. In Bangalore two kindergartens are now starting grades schools, and additional initiatives in Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai have started. Since 1997 there have been many teacher training courses and workshops in Hyderabad, with the help of many teachers from different parts of the world, and now also experienced Indian Waldorf teachers.

            Since 1997 there have been annual Waldorf education seminars in Khandala             organised by Aban Bana for all teachers from all over India in search of holistic education. –from www.iaswece.org

Since Waldorf education and philosophy are set to particular standards world wide through the Waldorf Association, we can assume that the Waldorf schools in India also use non-traditional methods of assessment. I do not yet have a firm belief in what areas of schooling or the whole child need to be assessed. I do know that the pressure of the “test result” will create more problems in our children’s well being and increase crime rates in the future. I also know that there are approaches to measuring where a child is currently at developmentally that will not impede their development or academic success.