Landes-Elternvereinigung der Gymnasien in Bayern

The Landes-Elternvereinigung der Gymnasien in Bayern (LEV) is a registered voluntary association (eingetragener Verein) that serves as the umbrella organisation for parents' councils at Gymnasien (academic secondary schools) across the German state of Bavaria. Its stated purpose is to realise parents' shared responsibility in school education at the Gymnasium level and to secure recognition for the duties and rights arising from that responsibility. It is a civil-society advocacy body rather than a commercial enterprise, but it operates as a formal, trademarked association with a public-facing brand identity. The LEV advises parents on all school-related problems affecting their children and supports parents' councils (Elternbeiräte) in carrying out their duties. It represents parents' concerns before the Bavarian Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs (Bayerisches Kultusministerium), the Bavarian state government, the state school advisory council (Landesschulbeirat), and in discussions with members of the Bavarian state parliament. It also conducts regular dialogue with the State Institute for School Quality and Educational Research (ISB), the Bavarian Philologists' Association and other teachers' associations, other Bavarian parents' associations, and representatives of universities and industry. Organisationally, the LEV functions as a Dachverband (umbrella association) for Gymnasium parents in Bavaria. In the 2011/2012 school year, 354 of Bavaria's 402 Gymnasien were members, meaning the association represented approximately 300,000 parents of pupils at Bavarian Gymnasien. The 354 affiliated schools are represented by parent-elected Elternbeiräte, which form 33 working groups (Arbeitsgemeinschaften) and constitute the general assembly (Mitgliederversammlung). Each working group sends one representative to the state committee (Landesausschuss). The general assembly and the state committee elect a twelve-person executive board (Gesamtvorstand), which in turn selects a chairperson and deputy from among its members. Membership is open to elected parents' council chairpersons at all Bavarian Gymnasien (or their deputies, another parents' council member, or a parent class representative delegated by the parents' council for the duration of the council's term); to all parents or guardians whose children attend a Bavarian Gymnasium not cooperatively affiliated with the association; and to other natural or legal persons who wish to support the association's goals ideationally or materially. The association has a long record of chairs dating back to 1950, with Sven Clement serving as chair since 2025.

The Landes-Elternvereinigung der Gymnasien in Bayern (LEV) is a registered voluntary association that has served as the umbrella organisation for parents at Bavarian Gymnasien since the mid-20th century. Its documented leadership history begins in 1950, when Heinz Roth became chairperson, indicating that the association was already active in the early post-war years of the Federal Republic of Germany. The organisation was established to give parents a structured voice in the academic secondary school system and to institutionalise the principle of parental co-responsibility in school education. Through the 1950s and 1960s the association was led by a succession of chairpersons, including Ernst Durchholz (1954–1955 and 1957–1959), Karl Reichold (1955–1957), Friedrich Sixt (1959–1963), and Harald Jaeger (1963–1970). This period coincided with the expansion and reform of the West German Gymnasium system, during which parents' councils became increasingly important as intermediaries between families and school administrations. In the 1970s and 1980s the LEV continued to build its representative structures. Chairs included Friedrich Howorka (1970–1971), Erich Frhr. v. Loeffelholz (1971–1973), Margarete Frfr. v. Pechmann (1973–1975), Johanna Kremsreiter (1975–1979), Anneliese Fischer (1979–1983), and Peter Th. Miller (1983–1991). During these decades the association consolidated its role as a dialogue partner for the Bavarian Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs and for other education stakeholders. From the 1990s onward the LEV was led by Ingrid Sailer (1991–1993), Henning Paul (1993–1997), Barbara Frfr. v. Schnurbein (1997–2001), Manfred Scherzer (2001–2005), and Thomas Lillig (2005–2011). In the 2011/2012 school year the association reported that 354 of Bavaria's 402 Gymnasien were members, representing approximately 300,000 parents. Susanne Arndt served as chairperson from 2011 to 2021, followed by Birgit Bretthauer from 2021 to 2025. Since 2025 Sven Clement has chaired the association. Structurally, the LEV is organised as a Dachverband. The affiliated schools are represented by parent-elected Elternbeiräte, which form 33 Arbeitsgemeinschaften and constitute the Mitgliederversammlung. Each Arbeitsgemeinschaft sends one representative to the Landesausschuss. The Mitgliederversammlung and Landesausschuss together elect a twelve-member Gesamtvorstand, which selects the chairperson and deputy. The association's work includes advising parents and Elternbeiräte, representing parents before the Bavarian Kultusministerium, the Bavarian state government, the Landesschulbeirat, and the Bavarian Landtag, and maintaining regular exchanges with the ISB, the Bayerischer Philologenverband and other teachers' associations, other Bavarian parents' associations, and representatives of universities and industry.

• 2025

  Sven Clement becomes chairperson.

• 2021

  Birgit Bretthauer becomes chairperson.

• 2011

  Susanne Arndt becomes chairperson; in the 2011/2012 school year, 354 of 402 Bavarian Gymnasien are members, representing about 300,000 parents.

• 2005

  Thomas Lillig becomes chairperson.

• 2001

  Manfred Scherzer becomes chairperson.

• 1997

  Barbara Frfr. v. Schnurbein becomes chairperson.

• 1993

  Henning Paul becomes chairperson.

• 1991

  Ingrid Sailer becomes chairperson.

• 1983

  Peter Th. Miller becomes chairperson.

• 1979

  Anneliese Fischer becomes chairperson.

• 1975

  Johanna Kremsreiter becomes chairperson.

• 1973

  Margarete Frfr. v. Pechmann becomes chairperson.

• 1971

  Erich Frhr. v. Loeffelholz becomes chairperson.

• 1970

  Friedrich Howorka becomes chairperson.

• 1963

  Harald Jaeger becomes chairperson.

• 1959

  Friedrich Sixt becomes chairperson.

• 1957

  Ernst Durchholz returns as chairperson for a second term.

• 1955

  Karl Reichold becomes chairperson.

• 1954

  Ernst Durchholz begins his first term as chairperson.

• 1950

  Heinz Roth becomes chairperson, marking the earliest documented leadership of the association.

Umbrella advocacy association for parents at Bavarian Gymnasien, operating as a registered voluntary association and representing parents' interests in education policy.

Product categories. Parent advocacy and advisory services · Representation in education policy bodies · Information and guidance for parents' councils

1. 1LEV Bayern – Landes-Eltern-Vereinigung der Gymnasien in Bayern e.V.lev-gym-bayern.de
2. 2Landes-Elternvereinigung der Gymnasien in Bayern – Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
3. 3Landes-Elternvereinigung der Gymnasien in Bayern – Wikidatawikidata.org