Preschool Development Grant Application Announced- What Does This Have to Do with Us?

The US Department of Education with Health and Human Services has announced criteria for applying for Preschool Development Grants. Comments and personal testimony were solicited from the departments in designing these grants. You may remember that there were a number of comments posted to the department's website and Montessori education was well represented at the personal testimony opportunity.

There are two types of grants. Only states may apply. Intent to submit is due by Sep. 11 with the final application due by Oct. 14th.
Development Grants are eligible to the 15 states that currently serve less than 10% of their low to middle income 4 year olds. Five to eight grants of $5-20 million for 4 years will be awarded.
Expansion Grants are for those states (35) that currently have robust preschool programs in place to expand enrollment of low to middle income children. Seven to twelve grants of $10-35 million for 4 years will be awarded.

Grants will be awarded to high quality programs which include:

• a professional development program for all early childhood teachers
• low ratios and group sizes
• comprehensive services to children and families
• provide a continuum of service from birth to 8 years old
• can provide matching funds at the state level
• use a minimum of 50% of the award to increase enrollment

What does this mean for the Montessori community?

There is no specific mention of Montessori education in these grant applications. But once again, high quality is defined with criteria that is, at best, is neutral and, at worst, is negative for high quality Montessori programs. We all share the goal of providing outstanding preschool opportunities for as many children as possible. But how can Montessori education be included as one of the best opportunities if our quality is not recognized? The Montessori teacher credential is not recognized at the level it should be given the requirements and competencies of MACTE accredited teacher education programs, Montessori classroom environments and programs are not fairly assessed as states use a tool that was created originally to measure quality in Head Start programs, the ratios and group sizes that are optimal for children to benefit from a high quality Montessori classroom are not understood or appreciated, rules and regulations regarding materials used are often counter to Montessori best practice. As more and more public funding is available, many Montessori schools are losing enrollment or compromising best practice. We have to be able to demonstrate our high quality to participate.

How does the Montessori community become a part of the conversation?

We need to form strong groups of Montessorians who come together. We need to organize ourselves in support of our fellow educators, parents and families, and most importantly, the children we teach. We need to prepare for advocacy with data (how many schools, families, and children are represented in your state?, how are Montessori classrooms in your state being ranked on QRIS?), with knowledge about those rules and regulations that are problematic for us, with information that will help us educate state level agencies and offices.

This is what Montessori Forward is all about. We are here to help you form or strengthen your state group, to help you organize with a structure and people power needed, and to help you prepare for engaging in advocacy. Together we can become a part of the conversation, we can demonstrate our high quality, and we can offer an amazing preschool opportunity for children and their families.

Write us at montforward@gmail.com. Look to see if a group is forming in your state or region. Check out the tools, templates, and information on Montessori Forward. Join the list serve to network with one another, check out our new Facebook page.