"Waldorf (Steiner) education is a humanistic approach to pedagogy based on the educational philosophy of the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy. Waldorf pedagogy distinguishes three broad stages in child development. The early years education focuses on providing practical, hands-on activities and environments that encourage creative play. In the elementary school, the emphasis is on developing pupils? artistic expression and social capacities, fostering both creative and analytical modes of understanding. Secondary education focuses on developing both critical and empathetic understandings of the world through the study of mathematics, arts, sciences, humanities and world languages. Throughout, the approach stresses the role of the imagination in learning and places a strong value on integrating intellectual, practical, and artistic activities across the curriculum rather than learning each academic discipline as a separate concern. The educational philosophy?s overarching goal is to develop free, morally responsible, and integrated individuals equipped with a high degree of social competence. Teachers generally emphasize formative (qualitative) over summative (quantitative) assessment methods. The schools have a high degree of autonomy to decide how best to construct their curricula and govern themselves. The first Waldorf school opened in 1919 in Stuttgart, Germany. At present there are 1,039 independent Waldorf schools,[1] about 2,000 kindergartens[2] and 646 centers for special education,[3] located in 60 countries. There are also Waldorf-based state schools,[4] charter schools and academies, and homeschooling[5] environments. The Waldorf method is a large independent alternative education movement, which has a worldwide following.[6][7] In Central Europe, where most of the schools are located,[1] the Waldorf approach has achieved general acceptance as a model of education.[8][9] Waldorf education has influenced mainstream education in Europe[10] and Waldorf schools and teacher training programs are funded through the state in many European countries. Public funding of Waldorf schools in some English speaking countries has been controversial, with questions being raised about the role of religious and spiritual content in or underlying the curriculum, and whether the science curriculum, which has achieved notable results, also includes pseudoscience and/or promotes homeopathy. The Waldorf movement has said that concerns over its stance on these matters are unfounded..."