The USDE and DHH announced yesterday that 32 states have submitted their "intent to apply" for a share of the $250 million grant competition. Final applications are due Oct. 14th.
There are two types of grants- one for development of early childhood programs and systems of accountability and one for expansion of existing programs and accountability.
The states applying for development grants include: HI, IN, MS, MO, MT, NV, NH, UT, and Puerto Rico.
States applying for expansion money include: AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, IL, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NC, OH, OR, PA, RI, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, and WV.
If you live in a development state, now would be perfect time to make a connection with the state department writing the application. Call your state Child Care Licensing office, or state Department of Education to find the correct agency and person. Make a contact, ask for a meeting to share general information about the value of including Montessori as an option for early childhood education in your state.
If you live in an expansion state, now would be a perfect time to get involved. Contact your state Office of Early Learning (or equivalent- it might be licensing) and find out how the Montessori community can participate.
Washington- state provides a good "case study" for a state applying for an expansion grant. The Department of Early Learning (DEL) is "seeking input from the community." WA. is currently providing 10,091 preschool slots for families but with additional federal funds, they propose increasing that to 25,091 spaces. Additional funds would also be used to provide "curriculum support, professional development and tuition, and to increase private pay options."
WA. is defining high quality as: full day (5 hrs), highly trained teachers, an evidenced based curriculum, access to comprehensive services, a rich learning environment, and positive teacher-child interactions.
What makes WA interesting is its similarity to many of the states seeking Preschool Development Grant money. Many states want input from the community, all are increasing availability of programming, all see the need for a mixed delivery system that includes public and private providers, and all are mandated in this grant to both increase slots for children but also increase "quality" based on standards not that different from WA.
High quality Montessori education meets all of these. The task before us is educating and explaining how and why. It's all in the translation. Our most basic advocacy work can be explaining to these state agencies how we can contribute to their data base of high quality programs and a highly trained work force. We must interrupt how Montessori education meets the standards and criteria of accountability with the language and presentation that doesn't require us to compromise on best practice but helps others understand just what that is and how it fits in serving the needs of all children.
As always, Montessori Forward is about Montessori educators supporting one another on our common goal. Have a question, have a story to tell about your meeting with a state agency? Share so the rest of us might learn and explore these issues together.
Let's not miss this golden opportunity to become a part of the conversation on just what great education looks like.
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