Advocacy: Getting Started

Getting Started

Although there are a variety of forms that advocacy work can take, one of the most effective is Administrative Advocacy.

Administrative advocacy can work on creating new policies, revising current guidelines, and resolving program problems through activities directed toward administrative and governmental agencies. Interacting with a managing agency can be one of the most effective ways to bring change.

Where to start?

1. Educate yourself, and your group, so you can clearly and concisely articulate the problem as you see it. Know the reasons why you are asking for change, what that change would look like, and what the impact of change taking place would be in your community. You will build credibility by being able to share accurate and reliable information.

2. Know your stakeholders. If you are advocating for Montessori programs being accurately assessed for QRIS levels, be able to state how this accurate assessment will benefit parents ability to make best choices for their children.

3. Participate in forums, workshops, webinars and information sessions held by the state agency. Develop a clear understanding of agency goals, standards, and legal and financial parameters. Read your state QRIS, know agency rules, regulations, and requirements.

4. Approach agency staff with an attitude of collaboration, and convey your positive interest in understanding the goals and interests of the agency. Explain your own goals and interests in relationship to those of the agency. Anyone involved with the care and education of young children is concerned with issues of health, safety, and quality. The Montessori community can advocate that our philosophy, curriculum, and educated teachers are one way to assure all three. We do not have to criticize other methods to advocate for our own.

5. Demonstrate a willingness to work with, not against, agency staff. Positive interactions are much more likely to result in positive outcomes. Advocacy does not mean conflict.

6. Develop an ongoing relationship with agency staff. Offer invitations for observation in a Montessori program. Offer to provide workshops, share written materials. Be willing to show how Montessori education can align with state standards. We must be willing to educate adults as well as children.

Look at the Resources tab of this website. We will continue to add How-To's, information about work being done in other states, and provide you with templates and guidance for the important work you are doing on behalf of Montessori education.

Together we will move Montessori Forward.