Early Childhood Program School Policies The school must communicate its policies to the adult learner and the teacher education program in writing.
In that case adult learners may do a self-directed practicum provided they meet one of the following requirements: • Prior experience as an assistant in a Montessori environment • Two or more years of previous teaching experience • Written approval of the teacher education program director • A bachelor’s degree
Job Description and Contract of Agreement The site must issue a job description and a contract of agreement to the intern. This job description or agreement should include the nature and type of remuneration given the adult learner, if any. Cooperation with the Teacher Education Course The school must agree to cooperate with the course in all matters relating to the practicum.
All the requirements for the supervised practicum apply to the self-directed practicum with the additional task of the adult learner assuming full responsibility for the Montessori class without the daily guidance of a qualified master teacher in the classroom.
Janitorial Service The school should provide janitorial service. Age Range of Class The children in the class should range in ages from 3-6 years of age.
Because the adult learner has full responsibility for the Montessori class and does not have a master teacher, the practicum extends over a period of two academic school years instead of one as in the Master Teacher model. There is an additional fee for self-directed practicum. See the current fee schedule.
Supervision (Master Teacher Model) The adult learner may not be asked to assume total responsibility for a class without the presence of a master teacher or other qualified staff person. Environment
A minimum of six on-site consultation evaluation visits by a field consultant is required. In addition, adult learners doing a self-directed practicum are assigned a mentor. Adult learners are required to follow a schedule for communication with the mentor and observations at the mentor’s school.
The practicum site environment must be equipped with the full complement of Montessori materials. A Montessori Early Childhood environment is described as a setting for children between the ages of 3 and 6 years. The environment reflects these characteristics:
• Curriculum materials are organized into logical groupings (e.g., by curriculum area).
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Standards for the Practicum Site
• Within each grouping there is a logical arrangement of the materials (e.g., by level of difficulty or sequence of skill and concept development).
AMS Membership Practicum sites should be members of the American Montessori Society (AMS). If a school is not a member, PCTE strongly suggests that it becomes affiliated with AMS.
• Furnishings are of appropriate size for the children. The arrangement of furnishings offers a variety of activity spaces. • Activity spaces and procedures are organized to avoid conflict of interest.
Nondiscrimination Policy The school site must have a written nondiscrimination policy for children and staff.
• There is provision for display of visual stimuli and children’s work.
Licensing The site must meet all local and state regulations.
• Each activity is structured to provide purpose, procedure, closure, and opportunity for child’s success. 16