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Public Montessori programs strengthen learning outcomes at lower costs: study

phys.org

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Re: Public Montessori programs strengthen learning outcomes at lower costs: study

#3

Sounds good. The school systems are messed up, everybody agrees on that. But the article is missing out the underlying cause for the results. What exactly caused the beneficial outcome? Montessori itself is quite a vast term nowadays.

The article is clear — lottery offer of a seat in a school which met inclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria are clearly outlined in the supplemental materials which are a single URL away which also include details on the allocation.

https://www.pnas.org/action/downloadSupplement?doi=10.1073%2...

Talk of causation anywhere other than the unit of randomization is speculation.

Re: Public Montessori programs strengthen learning outcomes at lower costs: study

#4
post #3

Sounds good. The school systems are messed up, everybody agrees on that. But the article is missing out the underlying cause for the results. What exactly caused the beneficial outcome? Montessori itself is quite a vast term nowadays.

The article is clear — lottery offer of a seat in a school which met inclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria are clearly outlined in the supplemental materials which are a single URL away which also include details on the allocation. https://www.pnas.org/action/downloadSupplement?doi=10.1073%2... Talk of causation anywhere other than the unit of randomization is speculation.

the definition in your linked paper is quite self referential

Re: Public Montessori programs strengthen learning outcomes at lower costs: study

#5

Sounds good. The school systems are messed up, everybody agrees on that. But the article is missing out the underlying cause for the results. What exactly caused the beneficial outcome? Montessori itself is quite a vast term nowadays.

The underlying cause is that only well to do parents choose Montessori. None of the pesky low income folks to throw off the test score.

Re: Public Montessori programs strengthen learning outcomes at lower costs: study

#6
post #5

Sounds good. The school systems are messed up, everybody agrees on that. But the article is missing out the underlying cause for the results. What exactly caused the beneficial outcome? Montessori itself is quite a vast term nowadays.

The underlying cause is that only well to do parents choose Montessori. None of the pesky low income folks to throw off the test score.

These were randomised. It sounds like they eliminated this selection bias.

Also, this is just about preschool. For regular school, I've grown more skeptical, because it didn't work well for either of my kids. They struggled with the independence and planning, and didn't get much done. One switched to special education during primary school and is doing excellent there (but that has much more guidance and costs more, though I wish it was available for everybody), the other switched to a regular school during secondary school after almost failing to pass year after year despite his extraordinary intelligence. He's doing somewhat better now.

It's a good option to have, but it's quite likely the advantage is bigger for preschool than school.

Re: Public Montessori programs strengthen learning outcomes at lower costs: study

#7
Is “Montessori” sufficiently defined?

I compared Montessori and non Montessori labeled daycares/preschools for my 3 and 4 year olds, and was unable to discern a meaningful difference in the course of the day.

Edit: I ended up going with the daycare that had cameras (so that at least management could audit employees), and a livestream for the parents, which was at a non Montessori daycare. Staff turnover also seemed lower. Was more expensive, but have been happy with results.

Re: Public Montessori programs strengthen learning outcomes at lower costs: study

#9

Is “Montessori” sufficiently defined? I compared Montessori and non Montessori labeled daycares/preschools for my 3 and 4 year olds, and was unable to discern a meaningful difference in the course of the day. Edit: I ended up going with the daycare that had cameras (so that at least management could audit employees), and a livestream for the parents, which was at a non Montessori daycare. Staff turnover also seemed l…

There are two actual standards around this (AMI and AMS), but therm "Montessori" is mainly fungible in the day care market.

The difference between these two, from my experience, is HUGE. Certified AMI schools, while a little more rigid in terms of teaching fine motor skills, generally have been better at making my kid more independent at doing things he likes to do. AMS schools are kind of wishy washy by comparison, and my kid was bored and under-engaged.

Re: Public Montessori programs strengthen learning outcomes at lower costs: study

#10

Is “Montessori” sufficiently defined? I compared Montessori and non Montessori labeled daycares/preschools for my 3 and 4 year olds, and was unable to discern a meaningful difference in the course of the day. Edit: I ended up going with the daycare that had cameras (so that at least management could audit employees), and a livestream for the parents, which was at a non Montessori daycare. Staff turnover also seemed l…

Additionally, even schools that label themselves Montessori will have significant differences in how the educational concepts are applied and to what degree. It’s not a regimented approach/program. I only say this to suggest that any parent interested in Montessori schools should definitely visit and ask questions before enrolling your student. Make sure that the experience will align with your expectations.
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