Updates for the Montessori community: RTT-ELC grants; Infant Floor Beds; QRIS- Next Steps

The US Department of Education announced the latest Race to the Top- Early Learning Challenge grant recipients yesterday morning. They are:

Georgia
Kentucky
Michigan
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Vermont

This now brings to 20 the number of states receiving these funds to improve early childhood education and provide greater options for families and children. The Montessori community is active and thriving in Georgia and Michigan and already engaged in  great advocacy work. However, our organizations in the other states are non-existent (as far as we have been able to determine) or are not particularly active. Now is the time to come together as a strong, organized community. If you know people in these states that would like to begin the advocacy process, please refer them to the Resources page on this web site.


Infant Floor Beds are becoming an issue in several states. If your state licensing rules and regulations allow for use of infant floor beds, could you please share your state name and anything that you might know about the process for this variance? If you are able to use floor beds due to a waiver, what information could you share about that process. We are looking for precedent to assist Montessori state organizations as they advocate for the continued use of floor beds in high quality Montessori Infant environments. Thanks.


QRIS- Next Steps

Our next webinar QRIS-Next Steps is scheduled for January 22 from 7-8:30 pm. We will be reviewing past and current information regarding these state systems and will be providing information which will help you advocate for Montessori education.

There are several specific areas of impact on our community, such as recognition of the Montessori teacher credential, alignment with state Early Learning Standards, adaptation of the environmental rating tools, use of materials, and recognition and value of accreditation with a national Montessori organization.

We'll talk about the approaches you can take, the actions you can engage in, and the kind of support and information Montessori Forward can provide. We will share success stories from Montessori organizations across the country, current engagement in several states, and how we can support one another's work.

Register at AMS. This webinar is being provided free of charge. Spread the word.

And, finally, we at Montessori Forward wish you all a happy season. Congratulate yourselves for the hard work you have done!