An Introduction for Advocates to the Montessori Essentials
Policymakers need to hear a unified voice from the Montessori community in order to create Montessori
friendly policy. They can become confused and frustrated when they hear varying demands about what
kinds of policies, regulations, and allowances need to be in place to accommodate Montessori programs.
When policymakers are confused they are less likely to generate or approve the policies and regulations
that Montessori schools need to protect the integrity of their programs.
The Montessori Essentials document is designed to be used as a tool in advocating with policymakers and
regulatory agencies. Most policymakers are unfamiliar with the various components of a Montessori
classroom and how those components work together to create a successful Montessori environment. By
proclaiming that the criteria outlined in this document are “essential,” we are giving advocates a tool that
tells policymakers what non-negotiable standards their policies need to make allowances for when looking
at Montessori programs. Since they have the approval of the Montessori Public Policy Initiative (MPPI),
these standards will bear more weight with policymakers than the voice of a school or advocacy coalition
alone.
As you review these criteria, please keep the intent of the document in mind. This document is not
intended to evaluate or judge programs that currently do not meet all of these criteria and/or who cannot
meet them due to constraints of current regulations. The sole intention of this document is to provide
policymakers with evidence of why advocates are asking for certain policies or regulatory
accommodations.
In addition, this document is not intended to imply that these standards are indicative, on their own, of
the quality of a Montessori program. Montessori associations will continue to have their own school
accreditation and recognition standards for schools that choose to pursue them. Additionally, the Essential
Elements rubric, developed by the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector, details several
other criteria and provides one quality measure for public Montessori schools.
In creating this document, the MPPI Council drew from the Essential Elements of Successful Montessori
Schools in the Public School Sector which was previously drafted and endorsed by several Montessori
organizations, including American Montessori Society, Association Montessori International, North
American Montessori Teachers’ Association, Montessori Educational Programs International, and the
Southwestern Montessori Training Center.
Policymakers need to hear a unified voice from the Montessori community in order to create Montessori
friendly policy. They can become confused and frustrated when they hear varying demands about what
kinds of policies, regulations, and allowances need to be in place to accommodate Montessori programs.
When policymakers are confused they are less likely to generate or approve the policies and regulations
that Montessori schools need to protect the integrity of their programs.
The Montessori Essentials document is designed to be used as a tool in advocating with policymakers and
regulatory agencies. Most policymakers are unfamiliar with the various components of a Montessori
classroom and how those components work together to create a successful Montessori environment. By
proclaiming that the criteria outlined in this document are “essential,” we are giving advocates a tool that
tells policymakers what non-negotiable standards their policies need to make allowances for when looking
at Montessori programs. Since they have the approval of the Montessori Public Policy Initiative (MPPI),
these standards will bear more weight with policymakers than the voice of a school or advocacy coalition
alone.
As you review these criteria, please keep the intent of the document in mind. This document is not
intended to evaluate or judge programs that currently do not meet all of these criteria and/or who cannot
meet them due to constraints of current regulations. The sole intention of this document is to provide
policymakers with evidence of why advocates are asking for certain policies or regulatory
accommodations.
In addition, this document is not intended to imply that these standards are indicative, on their own, of
the quality of a Montessori program. Montessori associations will continue to have their own school
accreditation and recognition standards for schools that choose to pursue them. Additionally, the Essential
Elements rubric, developed by the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector, details several
other criteria and provides one quality measure for public Montessori schools.
In creating this document, the MPPI Council drew from the Essential Elements of Successful Montessori
Schools in the Public School Sector which was previously drafted and endorsed by several Montessori
organizations, including American Montessori Society, Association Montessori International, North
American Montessori Teachers’ Association, Montessori Educational Programs International, and the
Southwestern Montessori Training Center.
Montessori Essentials
An authentic Montessori school will implement a philosophical approach that is consistent with the educational methods and areas of instruction as defined by the observations, research, writings and instruction of Dr. Maria Montessori. A Montessori school must allow the child to develop naturally—children are able to learn at their own pace and follow their own individual interests, learning primarily through the hands-on use of scientifically prepared auto-didactic materials, and interacting with the environment under the guidance of a specially trained adult. A Montessori environment promotes the child’s ability to find things out independently, enabling motivation and knowledge-building through internal development rather than external teaching or rewards.
In addition, an authentic Montessori school will apply the following pedagogical elements. It is critical that all of these elements be present in order for the Montessori approach to be successfully implemented. Montessori schools should:
1. Implement the Montessori curriculum which must include:
a. A classroom design that is compatible with Montessori “prepared environment”
principles.
b. A full complement of Montessori materials for each class and age group.
c. Uninterrupted Montessori daily work periods, with 3-hour work periods being
the ideal.
d. Instruction characterized by a high degree of freedom given to the student to
choose what to work on, where to work, how long to work.
e. Instruction that primarily takes place in small groups (Elementary & Secondary)
or one-on-one (Early Childhood).
2. Have appropriately trained instructional staff defined as:
a. Having a lead teacher in each classroom with an AMI, AMS, NCME, and/or MACTE
accredited teacher education program credential at the level being taught.
b. Having staff members engage in ongoing Montessori professional development.
3. Have classrooms
a. With the appropriate multi-aged groupings: 2.5/3-6, 6-9, 9-12, or 6-12 years of
age. Children from birth to 3 years of age and 12-18 years of age may be grouped
in varying multi- age configurations.
b. With class sizes and adult/child ratios that align with Montessori principles.
Montessori classroom standards require larger class sizes and higher student to
teacher ratios than is typically seen in traditional classrooms. Adding additional
teaching staff to a Primary classroom can interfere with, rather than encourage,
child-directed learning. It would not be uncommon to see 30 or more children in
a classroom at the early childhood and elementary levels.
4. Assess student progress through
a. Teacher observation
b. Detailed record keeping.
The above statement was created by the Montessori Public Policy Initiative, a collaborative project of Association Montessori International – USA (AMI-USA) and American Montessori Society (AMS). For more information visit http://www.montessoripublicpolicy.org/
11/10/2015
An authentic Montessori school will implement a philosophical approach that is consistent with the educational methods and areas of instruction as defined by the observations, research, writings and instruction of Dr. Maria Montessori. A Montessori school must allow the child to develop naturally—children are able to learn at their own pace and follow their own individual interests, learning primarily through the hands-on use of scientifically prepared auto-didactic materials, and interacting with the environment under the guidance of a specially trained adult. A Montessori environment promotes the child’s ability to find things out independently, enabling motivation and knowledge-building through internal development rather than external teaching or rewards.
In addition, an authentic Montessori school will apply the following pedagogical elements. It is critical that all of these elements be present in order for the Montessori approach to be successfully implemented. Montessori schools should:
1. Implement the Montessori curriculum which must include:
a. A classroom design that is compatible with Montessori “prepared environment”
principles.
b. A full complement of Montessori materials for each class and age group.
c. Uninterrupted Montessori daily work periods, with 3-hour work periods being
the ideal.
d. Instruction characterized by a high degree of freedom given to the student to
choose what to work on, where to work, how long to work.
e. Instruction that primarily takes place in small groups (Elementary & Secondary)
or one-on-one (Early Childhood).
2. Have appropriately trained instructional staff defined as:
a. Having a lead teacher in each classroom with an AMI, AMS, NCME, and/or MACTE
accredited teacher education program credential at the level being taught.
b. Having staff members engage in ongoing Montessori professional development.
3. Have classrooms
a. With the appropriate multi-aged groupings: 2.5/3-6, 6-9, 9-12, or 6-12 years of
age. Children from birth to 3 years of age and 12-18 years of age may be grouped
in varying multi- age configurations.
b. With class sizes and adult/child ratios that align with Montessori principles.
Montessori classroom standards require larger class sizes and higher student to
teacher ratios than is typically seen in traditional classrooms. Adding additional
teaching staff to a Primary classroom can interfere with, rather than encourage,
child-directed learning. It would not be uncommon to see 30 or more children in
a classroom at the early childhood and elementary levels.
4. Assess student progress through
a. Teacher observation
b. Detailed record keeping.
The above statement was created by the Montessori Public Policy Initiative, a collaborative project of Association Montessori International – USA (AMI-USA) and American Montessori Society (AMS). For more information visit http://www.montessoripublicpolicy.org/
11/10/2015
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