Over the past few weeks, many of you have asked what you can do to support high quality Montessori education in your state. Your state organizations and coalitions for advocacy are coming together and you are ready for the work ahead. Congratulations! Your efforts so far are proof of your strength in giving one voice to Montessori.
Action must be based on a clear understanding and real information of the problem. Your first action item, therefore, is to learn more about QRIS in your state. On this site, you can go to What Is QRIS and look for the Questions to Ask article. We hope this will be a starting point for you.
There is a good bit of information available about QRIS but it is not always accurate. In states which currently have Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge grants, the time line has begun and decisions about QRIS components and meeting the requirements are being made now. (These states include CA, DE, MD, MA, MN, NC, OH, RI, WA, CO, IL, NM, OR, and WI). To find the most up to date information, look to your state Office of Early Learning and Development, Department of Human Services or Children and Families, or just search for QRIS in your state. Use the questions on the What Is QRIS page as a guideline. We have provided an example of a Power Point presentation for CO with their draft proposal for TQRIS- Second Generation.
As referred to in a previous post, 16 states have now applied for RTT-ELC awards. The US Department of Education will be making the next round of grants at the end of December. For those of you in these states ( AZ, AR,CT,DC, GA, IN, IA,KY, MI, MS, MO, NV, NH, NJ, NY, PA, and VT) now is a perfect time to gather your information and strengthen your state group. Even though most states currently have a QRIS in place, with the award of RTT ELC grants, the states must re-assess, revise, and revamp their current system. This means that much can, and likely will, change in your state. One of the best sources of information for you will be the US Department of Education website. Search for RTT-ELC applications and find your state's application. This lengthy but informative document will give you a great deal of information about the proposed plans for using this money in your state. You can also go to your state's Office of Early Learning and Development.
We have provided an example of a Power Point presentation from TX which has a very different time line from states accepting federal funds.
Find out about meetings being held by your state QRIS and go to gather first hand information. Introduce yourself to the presenters. Make sure that you are on the necessary mailing lists. And share this information with everyone in your group.
Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing information gathering techniques you are using in your states. And hope that you will share some of what you are finding out with others. For those of you who have already been in touch to share your efforts, thank you. This is your site to connect, learn from one another, and continue to share your questions, challenges, and successes. Use the Contact Us link to post a blog of your own.
Let's move Montessori Forward
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