A State Montessori Validation Project: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a State Montessori Validation Project?
The State Montessori Validation Project is a model, or template, for setting baseline standards for the state Montessori community to establish an accountability system, through a state recognized Montessori Validation Organization. This validation assures the consumer, state agencies, and Montessori schools that a minimal level of quality has been met.
What is the purpose and intention of the Validation Project?
The goal of the project is to provide a baseline measure for all participating Montessori programs in the state. This will provide an agreed upon “definition” enabling consumers and state agencies to better understand, and trust, that those validated Montessori schools meet a certain level of safety and quality.
What are the baseline standards?
The “standards” are those key components that, at a minimum, the state Montessori community believe a school should have in place to be recognized as a Montessori program. These are baseline components which do not define “best practice” but rather provide a measure of quality assurance to state agencies and families.
Who sets the standards for all Montessori schools and programs?
These “standards” are determined by the state Montessori community itself represented by the UMSI.
These key components are foundational to the implementation of the Montessori philosophy, pedagogy, and curriculum as researched by Dr. Montessori and taught in Montessori Teacher Education Programs.
Copyright: United Montessori Schools of Indiana in consultation with Christine Lowry, M. Ed Montessori-Now. 2017. All rights reserved.