19137 Mateny Hill Rd.
Germantown, MD 20874
ph: 301-613-3985
info
MONTESSORI VALIDATING SERVICE
The Maryland State Department of Education has determined that it is no longer willing to regulate Montessori Schools as it has done in the past. Instead, MSDE has established "Validating Organizations" who are responsible for informing the State as to which programs meet the criteria to call themselves "Montessori Schools."
What does this mean for Montessori schools?
By 2015, every Montessori school in Maryland must hold- in addition to a Certificate of Approval from the Maryland State Department of Education- a certificate from a Department- recognized Montessori validating organization. This validating certificate recognizes that the Montessori school has met organizations standards as a Montessori educational program in Maryland:
- A philosophical approach consistent with the educational methods and areas of instruction of Dr. Maria Montessori;
- At a minimum a Montessori teacher credential issued by one of the following: American Montessori Society (AMS), Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), National Center for Montessori Education (NCME), or Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) accredited program;
- Montessori curriculum and instructional material requirements used to implement the program for each class and age group taught; and
- Classes made up of children representing mixed age grouping based on the developmental readiness of the students.
How does a school become validated by a Department-recognized Validating Organization?
To receive a certificate from a validating organization, a school must apply for and undergo a review by a Department-recognized Montessori validating organization.
Education Matters, LLC is a MSDE Department-recognized Montessori validating organization.
- Click here to view our Validation Process
- Click here to view and print the Initial Application for Validation
- Click here to view our Periodic Review Process
Why Choose Us as Your Validating Organization?
It is our sincere hope that eligible Montessori schools transition smoothly into MSDE's new validation requirement. Through our on-site workshops we've observed beautifully prepared environments and met wonderful staff. In our opinion, there are Montessori schools (and educators) in Maryland that are doing an amazing job serving our children.
- An examination of the required coursework. We look to see if the required coursework is aligned with the required coursework of Maryland's Montessori training programs.
- Number of lecture, lab and observation hours required to successfully complete the training program. We look to see if the total hours of the training program is equal to (or greater than) the average hours required of Maryland's Montessori training programs.
- Length of internship and teaching experience.
Become a Montessori Teacher!
Maryland Montessori training programs:
Washington Montessori Institute at Loyola
Maryland Center for Montessori Studies
Copyright 2014 Education Matters, LLC. All rights reserved.
19137 Mateny Hill Rd.
Germantown, MD 20874
ph: 301-613-3985
info