Waldorf Effort  – Project Manager Report for 2014

This project was initiated in May of 2014, when after a thorough study we’ve approached the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA Leadership Council and The Board of Trustees) with a request to collaborate with us [Divergent Labs] in the creation of an alternative to the mainstream education of autistic children.

This request resulted in a conference with AWSNA Director of Programs, at which time we’ve outlined a twofold approach that we hoped to achieve: a proportional inclusion of Autistic children in Waldorf classroom [roughly based on the statistics for autism prevalence] and their help in creation of our own school based on the educational principles and the methodology developed with a help from Waldorf educators and AWSNA organization.  The results of the conference produced two important recommendations. In regard to the inclusion, it was received sympathetically but was noted that this decision was in the realm of each participating school and a suggestion was made that we approach a particular school with this request. Regarding the request for help with the creation of the school, it was noted that AWSNA had no such jurisdiction, but a recommendation was made that  we approach Ruskin Mill Trust [UK] that has already created a successful program and had  schools (including college education) for autistic children and youth largely based on Waldorf approach to learning.

Following these recommendations, we’ve approached the Waldorf school of Garden City [WSGC – a private school of highest standing and educational record] and presented our ideas to their board and administration.

We have also [after a study] approached Ruskin Mill Trust and have learned of a new partnership that has just been formed between Ruskin Mill Trust  and Rudolf Steiner College [RSC – is the primary college for teachers graduating into Waldorf Educational System in North America]. The name of this partnership is Meristem-RSC; it is a partnership between Rudolf Steiner College and a new organization named Meristem, which is said to be heavily influenced by Ruskin Mill Trust. The mission of Meristem is specifically in catering to autistic students.

The first phase of Meristem project is planned to start in the fall of 2015 at RSC in Sacramento, CA – by opening campus to autistic students who would be [now] admitted and included in the Rudolf Steiner College undergraduate programs – but the mission of Meristem is a lot wider. Meristem is a new initiative of Anthroposophical organization and is representing itself as a way toward the renewal and continuing profitability of their organization. Meristem is said to be well funded and has a global mission of expanding this model to every sphere of education – from colleges to younger age groups, from high schools to early childhood.

The creation of this new partnership was exactly the development that we hoped to bring about. We saw it as a great step in the right direction. Our involvement in this initiative would help them while at the same time it would allow us to influence it and ensure that the words and the deeds are true.

With this intent we have approached Meristem-RSC with an offer of help in promoting and expanding their initiative, and also submitted to them and to the Waldorf School of Garden City a proposal for joint collaboration in expanding this program to the East Coast; starting at WSGC elementary school. A copy of proposal (view proposal) was also delivered to the Council of Waldorf Schools of North America, and the Ruskin Mill Trust.

Subsequently we’ve held meetings and conference calls with the board members and administrators of these organizations elevating the decision making to the top leadership levels of their respective and interconnected organizations.

The official outcome of this activity however, was the decision by their organizations not to proceed with our proposal at the current time. The possibility of future collaboration was left open, but is unlikely in my opinion in a near term. Their decision demonstrates that even the most progressive educational organizations are not yet ready to accept an autistic run organization as a partner [in this way they did not pass “Autistic test”, and it raises red flags]. Nevertheless, the Waldorf–Meristem effort carries a great importance and is noteworthy, raising the visibility and importance of this autistic cause, since our proposals were circulated and decided on at the highest levels of this independent educational movement.