Association of German Private School Associations
The Association of German Private School Associations e. V. (VDP) represents independent educational institutions that are active in early childhood, general and vocational education, in adult education , in the field of labor market services and further training as well as in the tertiary sector ( technical colleges and universities ). In addition to a federal office in Berlin , the association is represented nationwide by ten regional associations and offices . The focus of the activities of the VDP is on the aim of strengthening the socio-political , legal and economic framework conditions for free education.
The association advocates plurality and quality-enhancing competition in education . It ensures the basic right to be able to choose between different educational concepts, educational offers and educational providers. The VDP is the oldest private school association in Germany, founded in 1901, and binds its members neither ideologically, denominationally nor partisan. Together with the two confessional private school associations, the Federation of Free Waldorf Schools and the Association of Rural Education Centers, the VDP forms the Working Group of Free Schools (AGFS).
Range of services
The VDP represents the interests of its members and the free school system through full-time employees in the federal office and in the regional associations as well as through volunteer supporters. The VDP maintains close contacts with politicians, ministries and the highest authorities. He maintains a regular exchange with other associations, organizations and scientific institutions. To provide support in legal questions, the member schools are constantly informed about current decisions of the legislative bodies and the competent courts. The education and labor market policy activities of the VDP are not only concentrated at the state and federal level, but are also based, for example, on the procedures and guidelines of the European Parliament and the EU Commission in Brussels. The VDP monitors international education, reports on educational policy projects and supports independent educational institutions in their international collaborations.
The VDP supports the efforts of its member schools to achieve the highest possible quality. He contributed to transferring the quality standards developed for industrial production according to DIN EN ISO 9000 ff. To the education system. In the specialist groups of the umbrella association and the working bodies of the regional associations, all members have the opportunity to obtain information, help shape content and make important contacts. There is also regular exchange with the sponsoring members. The public relations work is carried out by the press office. Every year in November, the VDP organizes a federal congress lasting several days - each time alternating in the capital of a different federal state. Current political and subject-specific issues are dealt with in forums, workshops, panel discussions and specialist group meetings. The umbrella organization and its regional associations organize specialist seminars, training courses and scientific symposia on current educational topics.
Board of Directors and Managing Director
- President : Klaus Vogt, Kolping-Bildungswerk Württemberg, Stuttgart , since 2016
- Vice-Presidents: Dagmar Mager, Institute for Education & Consulting Dresden ; Tim Balzer, Rackow Schools Berlin and Frankfurt a. M .; Gerhard Helgert, Jenaplan School Nuremberg
- Board members : Tina Veigel, Steinhöfelschule Mainz; Arndt Paykowski, WIPA Business School Essen
- Honorary President : Joachim Böttcher, Braunschweig ; Michael Büchler, Baden-Baden Education Department
- Federal Managing Director: Dietmar Schlömp
Regional associations
- VDP Baden-Württemberg, office, Stuttgart
- VDP Bayern, Munich
- VDP Berlin / Brandenburg, Berlin
- VDP Hessen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Wiesbaden
- VDP Lower Saxony / Bremen, Hanover
- VDP North (Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania), Schwerin
- VDP North Rhine-Westphalia, Düsseldorf
- VDP Saxony / Thuringia, Leipzig
- VDP Saxony-Anhalt, Magdeburg