1. Montessori- What is it all about?
An parent education action research
By Pauline Meert

2. Action Research Question
How will a parent education program about Montessori principles affect parents’ perceptions about Montessori education and their interactions with their own child/ren?
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Why?
To find out the current level of support and understanding of Montessori
To offer more knowledge on core Montessori principles
To gather data about Montessori at GS
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Implementation
Surveys
Begin and End
Interviews
New, Three-Year Cycle, Dual, Past, Traditional
Workshops
Pre and Post Tests
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5. Data Highlights- Beginning Survey
Taken by 43 parents
Enrollment
56% enrolled in Montessori
9% had children in Montessori in the past
35% enrolled in Traditional
Reasons for Enrollment
65% had requested Montessori
15% a spot was available
21% in Traditional
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6. Data Highlights- Beginning Survey
Familiarity with Montessori
30% very familiar
60% somewhat familiar
9% not familiar at all
Notes
Survey taken primarily by parents with children in Montessori
Montessori is requested
Some overall familiarly
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7. Data Highlights- Beginning Survey
Perceptions
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8. Data Highlights- Beginning Survey
Perceptions- Other
“It’s great but make sure the child is progressing”
“A wonderful method if implemented completely… not so great if combined with other teaching methods/styles”
“Sometimes it cannot meet special learning styles”
“It is strongly focused on academics (GOOD)”
“Builds strong reading and math skills”
“Very independent”
“It fosters a child who is self-directed”
“That the flexibility provided risks delaying children’s growth if you don’t have a strong teacher”
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9. Data Highlights- Interviews
New
Hands-on, concentration, matches home philosophy
Three Year
Matches home philosophy, need for “all-in” mentality, cliques
Dual
Community, personalities, structure and freedom
Past
Independent, seamless transition, need for more information
Traditional
No spaces available, little knowledge, offers unique option
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10. Data Highlights- Interviews
What attracted them to Good Shepherd?
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11. Data Highlights- Interviews
Is there enough information/awareness?
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12. Data Highlights- Workshops
Attendance
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13. Data Highlights- Workshops
Tests
Each workshop post test showed improvement
in knowledge of Montessori concepts
Feedback
All participants either strongly agreed or agreed that they learned from the workshops and that it was relevant to them and their children.
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14. Data Highlights- Ending Survey
Taken by 13 parents
Interest in future workshop
9 Yes
2 No
2 Depends on topics
Positive feedback
Helped understand the method and their child
Offered tools for daily life
Validated their choice
Helped change their parenting style
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15. Data Highlights- Ending Survey
Topics for future workshops
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Impact
Good Shepherd
Offer more education workshops
Present more information to new and prospective families
Present information to other teachers
My Classroom
Continue to offer information on Montessori education in weekly s
Offer more opportunities for observations
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Verification Form Before leaving please fill out the verification form. Please scan it with the office copier and forward to my advisor. Thank you for your time.
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Questions? Comments?
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