Abstract/Notes: This research explored student evaluation practices used by Montessori elementary teachers. The Montessori teaching method emphasized students learning at their own pace within a prepared environment where the teacher's role was somewhat different compared to traditional classroom settings. Both traditional and alternative methods of student assessment were utilized by Montessori teachers (e.g., anecdotal records, informal conferences with students, observation of students, one-to-one interview with students, checklists of lessons, demonstration of skill mastery, and standardized achievement tests). The methodology and reasoning behind student evaluation was not well understood by the educational community, and today's dynamic cultural environment demands better attention to this subject. Following a literature review of assessment practices, analysis consisted of sampling member schools of the American Montessori Society (AMS). A questionnaire was submitted to 241 eligible AMS member schools with elementary programs across the United States, and 108 responses (representing 30% of the eligible schools) were collected. The questionnaire's items (27 total questions) were refined to 16 research questions which were analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. A number of results were produced. The two most prominent were: Montessori elementary teachers used more alternative than traditional methods of assessment practices; and, the factors that influenced the assessment practices used by Montessori teachers were the make up (student:teacher ratio, individual student's needs, multi-aged range) of students in the classroom and the Montessori method of education. Other results of this study included: Montessori schools used standardized achievement tests but individual respondents were not convinced they fit the Montessori method of teaching; and, the combination of non-graded report cards, anecdotal records, and student portfolios were successful reporting practices for parent teacher conference. The study concluded with identifying several areas of assessment practice where future research and professional development may benefit Montessori administrators, teachers, students, and parents.

Language: English

Published: Memphis, Tennessee, 1999

Language: English

ISSN: 1071-6246

Abstract/Notes: This chapter emphasises the importance of teachers consciously trying to live together harmoniously for themselves as opposed to merely modelling behaviours. It highlights the teachers’ intrinsic commitment to pursuing Learning To Live Together Harmoniously both for themselves and for their students. It encourages questioning if schools need to be just learning centres for children or if they can be restructured as learning spaces for everyone, spaces for community living, and spaces for experimenting with different ways of living and being. It exemplifies some of these alternatives and finds that the schools had several supportive systems for teachers, including those for autonomy, dialogue, collaboration, reflection, meditation, action on issues of social justice, and ethos of harmony.

Language: English

Published: Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2023

Edition: 1st ed.

ISBN: 978-3-031-23538-2 978-3-031-23539-9

Series: Spirituality, Religion, and Education , 6

Language: English

ISSN: 0044-0728

Language: English

ISSN: 1071-6246

Language: English

ISSN: 1071-6246

Language: English

ISSN: 1071-6246

Language: English

ISSN: 1071-6246

Language: English

ISSN: 1071-6246

Language: English

ISSN: 1054-0040