ED348165 PS020744
Title: Montessori Programs in Public Schools. ERIC Digest.
Author(s): Chattin-McNichols, John
Author Affiliation: ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood
Education, Urbana, IL.(BBB16656)
Pages: 3
Publication Date: 1992
Sponsoring Agency: Office of Educational Research and Improvement
(ED), Washington, DC. (EDD00036)
Contract No: RI88062012
Report No: EDO-PS-92-7
Available from: EDRS Price MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.
Language: English
Document Type: ERIC product (071); ERIC digests in full text (073)
Geographic Source: U.S.; Illinois
Journal Announcement: RIEDEC1992
The first Montessori school was founded in Rome in 1907. There
was interest in Montessori's methods in the United States between
1910 and 1920, but these methods were forgotten until after 1950,
when a second Montessori movement began in the United States. Some
schools with Montessori programs are affiliated with the Association
Montessori Internationale or the American Montessori Society. Most
public elementary schools, however, have no such affiliation. Characteristics
of elementary Montessori schools include: (1) students' involvement
in individual or small group activity of their choice; (2) an attitude
of cooperation rather than competition; (3) an emphasis on student's
individual responsibility; and (4) a 3-year range in the age of
students. Data from a study of 63 school districts that offered
Montessori programs during school year 1990-91 are cited. Problems
related to the implementation of Montessori programs in public schools
are then discussed. One problem is that of admission criteria, especially
the question of whether only children who have had preschool Montessori
experience should be enrolled in elementary
Montessori programs. However, the greatest problem in starting and
maintaining a public school Montessori program is the lack of qualified
teachers. Research indicates that in spite of these difficulties,
Montessori programs are a popular alternative to traditional public
school education. (BC)
Descriptors: *Admission Criteria; Cooperation; *Elementary
Education; Enrollment; Instructional Materials; *Montessori Method;
Preschool Education; *Public Schools; Student Responsibility; Teacher
Education; *Teacher Shortage; Teaching Methods
Identifiers: ERIC Digests; Mixed Age Groups
