It assures statutory changes that will promote economic self-sufficiency for families by making child care more affordable and will improve the overall quality of early childhood education.
Serving an even larger population of children and families will be accomplished through a public- private partnership of providers in a mixed delivery system. (Yes, this means Montessori schools)
The bill includes revised health and safety standards, measures of environmental quality, requirements for teacher education and professional development, and has a consumer education/protection piece that will give parents the information they need to make child care choices that work best for their family.
How does all of this impact high quality Montessori education? As with state Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) and Professional Registries for tracking teacher requirements, the definitions of quality do not always accurately measure Montessori programs. This bill is about, in part, parent choice but only for those choices which match the definitions of quality as established by state agencies.
Our schools can provide an amazing, high quality early education program for all kinds of children and families. To offer this choice, however, we must educate those who make and implement the rules and regulations. This is what grassroots advocacy action is all about.
This bill is one more reason for us to act at the local level. Join your state Montessori group today. Start a group where one does not exist. (See Resources for both at Montessori Forward). With your colleagues, develop an action plan and move Montessori forward.
Montessori Forward is a volunteer grassroots group of Montessori educators whose goal is to support advocacy and action at the local level. www.montessoriforward.og
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