The Institute for Democratic Education was founded by Mr. Yakov Hecht, the
founder and the principal of The Democratic School in Hadera. The institute
focuses on research, development, dissemination and application of Democratic
Education in Israel and worldwide.
Since 1987 The IDE leads the foundation of The Democratic School
Network. There are currently
21 schools in our network. in which over 4000 students are educated. The
institute provides facilitation to groups of parents and educators who are in
the process of founding new democratic schools.
In 1992 the Democratic School in Hadera won the presidents educational
prize-the most prestigious prize in the field of education in Israel.
In 1993 the IDE initiated a unique training program for education
personnel in the field of democratic education. This program is done in
cooperation with an educational college - The Kibbutz's' Seminary ("Seminar
Hakibutzim").
In 1993 the IDE organized the 1st International Convention for
Democratic Education - the IDEC - and since than the convention takes place
once a year. The convention is held at democratic schools around the world and
is attended by educational personnel, students and parents form all over the
world.
In 1994 the IDE began to publish "Siman She'ela" (Question Mark) - a
Hebrew journal of education.
In 1996, immediately after the assassination of Prime-minister Itzhak
Rabin, the IDE was asked, by the Israeli ministry of education to initiate and
operate the Program "Schools Experiencing Democracy" as a part of an attempt to
apply the principles of the democratic education in the education system in
general. About a hundred schools took and are still taking part in this
program.
In 1997 the IDE was recognized as one of the only four advanced-training
center of the "Department for Experiments and entrepreneurism" in the ministry
of education.
Since 1999 the IDE is taking place in "Forum Hawadi" (The Wadi Forum); A
unique program to build a new model for co-existence between Jews and Arabs in
the region of Wadi Ara - Iron.
Since 2000 the IDE operates democratization processes to develop
innovative learning systems in regional education systems in several cities
around Israel.
In 2001 the IDE initiated a unique 4 years program for B. Ed. degree for
students specializing in Democratic Education. This program is done in
cooperation with an educational college - "Seminar Hakibutzim" (The Kibbutz's'
Seminary).
In 2001 the IDE advised the ministry of education on how to integrate
Democratic Education processes in detached youth frameworks.
In 2002 the IDE established an independent publishing house specializing
in Democratic Educational literature. The IDE also operates a virtual bookstore
"Letzet Meharibua" (Getting Out of the Square).
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