School development, research results and transfer potential - Evaluation committee presents 6th report on Dresden University School

Since 2020, a structural and evaluation commission has been supporting the Dresden University School trial in the process of school development and research. The committee of renowned educational scientists and experienced practitioners is now presenting its sixth report.

The report acknowledges the impressive progress and forward-looking developments of the school experiment and the associated research center at the TUD Dresden University of Technology. At the same time, the commission formulates clear recommendations for the future support and further development of the innovative project by TUD and the City of Dresden.

Innovations in the upper secondary school

A central topic of the report is the introduction of the upper secondary school at the Dresden University School, the concept of which was approved by the Ministry in 2025. In the 2026/27 school year, the first students will enter year 11 at the University School Dresden. The commission emphasizes the innovative pedagogical model, which continues project-based learning and combines it with scientific propaedeutic approaches. The commission considers the handling of the principle of subject-specificity and learning organization, the learning formats and documentation as well as the flexibility of individual learning paths and learning support to be innovative. "The concept of the upper secondary school at Dresden University School is not only a model for Saxony, but also has the potential to serve as a model for the further development of the secondary school education system nationwide," emphasizes Prof. Dr. Matthias Martens (University of Cologne), Chairman of the Commission.

Research and transfer

The ForUS University School Research Center is highlighted in the report as a central component of school development. It was able to successfully continue important third-party funded projects in 2025, such as "Go-Flexi" to make the upper secondary level more flexible and "QualiPro" on the quality of learning process support at lower secondary level. The work of universities and schools in these joint projects is funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ).

Further evaluation of the results of learning assessments at the USD show that the children and young people at the university school achieve comparable results to pupils in Dresden. The ForUS research center examines competencies in mathematics and spelling.

Another success is the transfer from the school trial to teacher training. The alternative teaching internship, which was developed at the university school, is now being implemented at 15 other schools in eastern Saxony. This underlines the role of the university school as a development area for teacher training.

Challenges and recommendations

In addition to the successful development and research work, the report also highlights challenges. In particular, the lack of long-term resources for academic support is seen as an obstacle to the sustainable development of the university school. The commission calls on the ministry and university management to create the necessary human and financial resources to ensure continuous and evidence-based school development. Specifically, the following measures are recommended:

• Long-term funding for scientific monitoring and evaluation.
• Increased support for school management and teaching staff through the receipt of reduced hours for development work.
• Enabling innovative examination formats as part of the school trial at a "state trial school".

Significance for the education system

Dresden University School has made a name for itself in its role as an experimental school and research location not only in Saxony, but also nationwide. The commission emphasizes the importance of the school as a model for the further development of the education system and calls for greater support from politics and science.

"Dresden University School is a flagship project that shows how innovative and science-based approaches can work in practice. It is the responsibility of all stakeholders to secure this development and drive it forward," concludes Prof. Dr. Martens.

About the structure and evaluation commission

An overview of the members and more information on the work of the Structure and Evaluation Commission can be found on the University School Dresden research project page.

Download 6th commission report of the external structure and evaluation commission of the school experiment University School Dresden for the year 2025 (pdf, in German)

About the University School Dresden

Dresden University School is a joint project of the state capital Dresden and the TUD Dresden University of Technology. It is a public and free community school run by the city, where innovative forms of teaching and learning are tested under academic supervision. In addition, it is a training school for future teachers and, in the future, a further education school for teachers. The school trial is being scientifically supported by the ForUS research center at TU Dresden.

Information on the research project at TU Dresden: https: //tu-dresden.de/gsw/unischule
Information on the Dresden University School: http://universitaetsschule.org

You can find insights into the research project and everyday school life on various social media channels under @unischuleTUD: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. News from the University School Dresden project can be found regularly in the GSW newsletter.

Contact person

Maria Neuland Agüero
Phone: +49 173 260 9451