Language: English

ISSN: 1071-6246

Abstract/Notes: As public Montessori schools rapidly expand through the United States, the question then arises: What population of students do the schools serve? This study presents a new empirical data set examining the racial and economic diversity of 300 whole-school, public Montessori programs open in 2012–2013, where the entire school uses the Montessori Method. While school-choice scholars are concerned that choice programs like Montessori lead to greater student segregation by race and social class, this study finds a variety of outcomes for public Montessori. Public Montessori as a sector has strengths in student racial and socioeconomic diversity, but it also has diversity challenges, particularly among Montessori charters. The study concludes with recommended strategies for public Montessori schools to enroll a racially and economically diverse student body.

Language: English

DOI: 10.17161/jomr.v2i2.5848

ISSN: 2378-3923

Language: English

ISSN: 1071-6246

Abstract/Notes: Students of color comprise a majority in public Montessori school enrollments around the United States, and practitioners are often asked for evidence of the Montessori Method’s benefits for these students. This article examines the relevant literature related to the experiences of students of color in public Montessori schools. Research finds Montessori education offers both opportunities and limitations for students of color in attending diverse schools, developing executive functions, achieving academically, accessing early childhood education and culturally responsive education, minimizing racially disproportionate discipline, and limiting overidentification for special education. Public Montessori education’s efficacy with students of color may be limited by several factors: the lack of diversity of the teaching staff and culturally responsive teacher education, schools that struggle to maintain racially diverse enrollments, and the challenge of communicating Montessori’s benefits to families with alternative views of education. The review concludes with directions for future research.

Language: English

DOI: 10.17161/jomr.v3i1.5859

ISSN: 2378-3923

Abstract/Notes: The study compares two groups of students who graduated from high school in the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) during 1997–2001. Students who had participated in MPS Montessori programs from preschool through 5th grade were matched to a comparison group on the basis of gender, SES, race/ethnicity, and high school attended. Data from the ACT and WKCE, as well as overall and subject-specific high school grade point averages, were used in exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Once a model was established, the factors were regressed on the students' demographic characteristics and type of elementary education in a structural equation modeling framework. The Montessori group had significantly higher scores on tests associated with the math/science factor. There were no significant group differences for the factors associated with English/social studies and grade point average.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1080/02568540709594622

ISSN: 0256-8543, 2150-2641

Abstract/Notes: Although Montessori is the most common unconventional education model, no multi-state study has compared standardized test proficiency of Montessori schools with districts. Here we report on this for the 10 states/regions with the most public Montessori schools (n = 195). In 3rd grade, Montessori schools were less proficient in math but more proficient in ELA. In 8th grade they were also more proficient on ELA and showed a trend to greater proficiency in math. Black, Hispanic, and economically disadvantaged students at Montessori schools were more proficient on ELA tests, and performed better or similarly on math tests, at both grade levels. Achievement gaps were generally smaller. Difference in percent proficient in 8th grade controlling for 3rd grade was consistently greater at Montessori schools than in districts. Potential reasons for the different performance of Montessori schools are discussed.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1080/15582159.2021.1958058

ISSN: 1558-2159, 1558-2167

Abstract/Notes: This literature review provides a broad examination of the importance of culturally sustaining practices in public Montessori schools. For the purpose of this paper, culturally sustaining practices refers to any pedagogical practice or framework that prioritizes the racial and social identities of children of color, and/or the work that educators must do to strengthen these culturally sustaining practices. Culturally sustaining practices include but are not limited to Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy, which Paris (2012) adapted from Ladson-Billings' (1995) Culturally Responsive Pedagogy. Specifically examining the experiences that children of color experience in public Montessori education in the U.S., the author proposes that culturally sustaining practices combined with the Montessori method will lead to more humanizing and uplifting school experiences for Montessori families and educators. The research questions guiding the review are: (1) How does public Montessori education intersect with racial justice, social justice, and CSP, specifically as it serves children of color? (2) What is the internal work required of adults who want to employ CSP in their practice with children? The themes that arose from the literature were: the racial and economic challenges facing public Montessori in the U.S.; the varied experiences of Montessori students of color; the need for more social justice and culturally sustaining practices; and the aspects of culturally sustaining practices already existing in Montessori. The paper ends with recommendations for schools and Montessori teacher preparation.

Language: English

ISSN: 1916-8128

Abstract/Notes: There are more than 22,000 Montessori schools in over 100 countries worldwide. Beginning in the 1950s the American Montessori movement was primarily a private pre-school movement. There are more than 5,000 schools in the United States; over 500 of these are public. Montessori schools are an increasingly popular choice in the U.S. for public school districts looking to improve their educational outcomes. Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) can play a pivotal role by integrating Montessori education within their teacher preparation programs. As the demand for Montessori education increases there will be a need for more highly-qualified, culturally and linguistically diverse teachers who have the appropriate credentials and can implement the Montessori approach. Scientific research confirms that children who attend Montessori schools are advantaged academically, socially and emotionally. Communities such as Milwaukee and Chicago are now implementing Montessori education through public schools as part of school reform efforts making the educational approach more accessible to African American children.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1515/mlt-2017-0007

ISSN: 2161-2412

Abstract/Notes: As one of many contemporary educational reform strategies, the charter school movement has expanded opportunities for educators, children and parents to pursue environments that suit their personal values and predispositions. This project invited teachers to share their experiences working in a unique charter school environment. It examined how teachers described and conceptualized their experiences as professional educators in a public Montessori charter school. Two research questions guided the work as a whole: (1) How do teachers working in this unique charter school environment describe their ideals and perceptions of professional practice? And, (2) what do teachers have to say about this unique charter school environment and their experience working in it? The study employed multiple interviews with seven experienced educators. Using a modified interpretative phenomenological analysis approach, the researchers inductively analyzed teachers’ narratives. After inductive analysis, the teachers’ responses were considered in light of qualities reported to be associated with effective person-centered practice (therapy and teaching). These qualities included practitioner afforded conditions and teachers’ strategies for coping with a wide range of intra-personal, personal and organizational/contextual challenges. [Als eine von vielen heutigen Reformstrategien in der Erziehung bietet die Bewegung privater Schulen mit öffentlichem Auftrag erweiterte Möglichkeiten für Erziehende, Kinder und Eltern, um eine Umgebung bereitzustellen, die ihren persönlichen Werten und Prädispositionen entgegenkommt. Dieses Projekt bot Lehrern die Gelegenheit, ihre Erfahrungen darüber mitzuteilen, im einzigartigen Umfeld einer Privatschule mit öffentlichem Auftrag zu arbeiten. Es untersuchte, wie Lehrer ihre Erfahrungen als professionelle Erziehende in einer privaten Montessori-Schule mit öffentlichem Auftrag beschrieben und konzeptualisierten. Zwei Forschungsfragen dienten dabei als Leitfaden: 1. Wie beschreiben Lehrer, die in dieser einzigartigen Privatschul-Umgebung mit öffentlichem Auftrag arbeiten, ihre Ideale und die Wahrnehmungen zur Berufspraxis? Und 2. Was haben die Lehrer über diese einzigartige Privatschul-Umgebung mit öffentlichem Auftrag zu sagen und wie erleben sie es, darin zu arbeiten? Die Studie verwendete verschiedene Interviews mit sieben erfahrenen Erziehenden. Eine modifizierte interpretative phänomenologische Analyse diente als Ansatz, womit die Forschenden die Narrative der Lehrpersonen induktiv analysierten. Nach der induktiven Analyse wurden die Antworten der Lehrpersonen im Licht von Qualitäten betrachtet, die man mit effektiver personzentrierter Praxis (Therapie und Unterricht) in Verbindung bringt. Diese Qualitäten schlossen Bedingungen ein, die Praktiker anboten sowie Unterrichtsstrategien, um mit einem weiten Spektrum an intra-personalen, persönlichen und organisatorischen/kontextuellen Herausforderungen zurechtzukommen. / Como una de las muchas estrategias de reforma educativa contemporánea, el movimiento de la escuela charter ha ampliado oportunidades para educadores, niños y padres para buscar entornos que se adapten a sus valores personales y predisposiciones. Este proyecto invita a profesores a compartir sus experiencias de trabajo en un ambiente de escuela única chárter. Examina cómo los profesores describen y conceptualizan sus experiencias como profesionales de la educación en una escuela Montessori pública. Dos preguntas de investigación guiaron el trabajo en su conjunto: (1) ¿Cómo los profesores que trabajan en este entorno de escuela única charter describen a sus ideales y percepciones de la práctica profesional? Y, (2) ¿Qué tienen que decir los profesores acerca de este entorno único de escuela charter y su experiencia de trabajo en ella? El estudio empleó múltiples entrevistas con siete educadores experimentados. Utilizando un enfoque de análisis fenomenológico interpretativo modificado, los investigadores analizaron inductivamente las narrativas de los docentes. Después del análisis inductivo, se consideraron las respuestas de los profesores a la luz de las cualidades que mencionaron para ser asociadas a una práctica centrada en la persona (de terapia y enseñanza). Estas cualidades incluyen un profesional que brinda las condiciones y estrategias docentes para hacer frente a una amplia gama de desafios intrapersonales, personales, organizacionales y contextuales. / Parmi les nombreuses stratégies de réforme éducative, le mouvement de l’école à charte a accru les possibilités dont disposent les éducateurs, les enfants et les enseignants pour développer des cadres qui répondent à leurs valeurs personnelles et à leurs attentes. Ce projet a invité les enseignants à partager leurs expériences tout en travaillant dans le cadre d’une école à charte. Il a examiné comment les enseignants ont décrit et conceptualisé leurs expériences en tant qu’éducateurs professionnels dans une école privée à charte Montessori. L’ensemble du travail a été conduit sur base de deux questions de recherche: (1) Comment les enseignants travaillant dans le cadre de cette école à charte décrivent-ils les idéaux et la perception qu’ils se font de leur pratique professionnelle ? Et, (2) ces enseignants, qu’ont-ils à dire quant au cadre de cette école et quant à leur expérience de travail dans un tel environnement ? L’étude a eu recours à de multiples interviews auprès de sept éducateurs expérimentés. Utilisant une approche d’analyse interprétative phénoménologique modifiée, les chercheurs ont analysé de manière inductive les récits des professeurs. Après analyse inductive, les réponses des professeurs ont été examinées à la lumière des qualités considérées comme associées à une réelle pratique centrée sur la personne (thérapie et enseignement). Ces qualités incluaient les conditions nécessaires au praticien et les stratégies des professeurs pour s’adapter à un large éventail de défis intra-personnels, personnels et organisationnels/contextuels. / No contexto das estratégias de reforma da educação contemporâneas, o movimento escolar charter expandiu as oportunidades de educadores, crianças e pais para explorar ambientes que vão ao encontro dos seus valores pessoais e das suas predisposições. Este projeto convidou os professores a partilharem as suas experiêncas de trabalho no ambiente único de uma escola charter. Analisou-se a forma como os professores descreviam e concetualizavam as suas experiências enquanto profissonais de educação numa escola pública Montessori. Duas perguntas de investigação guiaram o estudo, no seu todo: 1 – Como descrevem os professores, que trabalham nesta escola charter particular, os seus ideais e perceções em relação à sua prática profissional? 2- O que têm os professores a dizer em relação a este ambiente particular de escola charter e da sua experiência de trabalho nesse contexto? O estudo recorreu a diversas entrevistas feitas a sete educadores experientes. Os investigadores analisaram as narrativas dos professores por indução, recorrendo a uma abordagem de análise fenomenológica interpretativa modificada. Após a análise indutiva, as respostas dos professores foram interpretadas à luz das qualidades referidas como estando associadas a uma prática centrada na pessoa eficaz (terapêutica e educacional). Essas qualidades incluíam condições atribuídas ao terapeuta e estratégias dos professores para lidarem com uma vasta gama de desafios intra-pessoais, pessoais e organizacionais/contextuais.]

Language: English

DOI: 10.1080/14779757.2016.1139500

ISSN: 1477-9757

Language: English