Skip to main content

Policy: Head Start

I. Essential Service, Quality Control

 James Heckman, Nobel Laureate economist from University of Chicago, has shown that investments in early childhood produce greater returns than at any other time in life.  Heckman delivers clear evidence that each dollar invested in early education produces a 10% annual return – supporting his larger message that prevention is more effective than intervention at stopping the cycle of poverty.

 The Early Head Start and Head Start programs make this investment through holistic education for disadvantaged children ages 0 to 3 and 3 to 5.  The mission is to build strong cognitive, academic, social and behavioral foundations through enrichment not available in the home. 

Currently, Early Head Start and Head Start programs follow different curricula.  Child outcomes vary depending on curricula, suggesting a need for quality control.  President Obama recently mandated Head Start school evaluations, and starting in December 2011, one-third of the 1,600 Head Start programs must reapply for grants.  Given this action, I recommend an educational method that works and redistribution of funds.  

 II. New Approach

The Montessori philosophy is one of the widely used philosophies in Head Start schools.  Head Start places particular emphasis on preparing children for reading and math.  In Montessori classrooms, through use of specially designed materials, four-year-old children teach themselves to read, write, and practice long division and multiplication.  The Montessori philosophy serves children from ages 0 to 3 and 3 to 6 in environments geared to interest and choice, in accordance with developmental needs.
Psychologists support the Montessori Method as comprehensive and grounded in science, when properly executed. Studies show that schools which strictly adhere to the Montessori philosophy produce child outcomes superior to those of traditional environments and other alternative methods. 

In a study comparing outcomes for low-income youth in Milwaukee Montessori and traditional schools from ages 3-6 and 6-12, the results were staggering.  Montessori students in both age groups showed significant advantages in cognitive, academic, social and behavioral skills over students in traditional schools. 

Though many Head Start programs use the Montessori name, none are recognized by Association Montessori International (AMI) for sufficient adherence to the method.  Through ineffective practice and insufficient public awareness and funds, disadvantaged youth are missing an opportunity to learn in this comprehensive educational method - used, acclaimed, and time-tested throughout the world. 

III. Action

As we embark on three years of school evaluations and redistribution of Head Start grants, I recommend 1) offering more funding to existing Head Start Montessori schools which qualify themselves for AMI certification and 2) allocating new funding to AMI-certified Montessori schools.  Not only has the Montessori Method proven effective for early childhood education, but it also shows significant long-term benefits for elementary and middle school education.  Given that schools are failing low-income students, we must relentlessly pursue methods that work for early childhood and beyond.   
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Home: "How We Montessori" Blog

I have long enjoyed the comprehensive, aesthetically beautiful, and philosophically on-point how we montessori blog.  Written by Kylie, mother of Caspar and Otis, the blog chronicles how this Canberra - based family implements the Montessori philosophy at home. In addition to providing home practices, the blog shares other families' Montessori stories, endorses high-quality Montessori products, and generates funds for the spread of education and the Montessori philosophy worldwide.  Sponsorship dollars received by "how we montessori" are donated to A Girl & Her World - a foundation that supports education for girls in Fiji.  Kylie also co-authored a book called Kids in the Kitchen: Simple Recipes that Build Independence and Confidence the Montessori Way , proceeds of which go to Montessori For All and their progress toward building free, public Montessori schools in Texas.  This blog is not to be missed.
Post a Comment
Read more

Classroom: To Parents, On Pick-Up

Dear Parent, I know you love and know your child better than anyone.  However, when you pick her up from Montessori school, remember this: The Montessori classroom is her space, and you can respect this by waiting for her to emerge with her belongings.  You are teaching your daughter that you honor boundaries and, in an adult world, she has her own place .  When she emerges from the classroom holding her coat rather than wearing it, wait for her to put it on instead of doing it for her.  You are teaching your daughter to be independent and helping her build confidence in herself and her skills. When she shows you a picture she made, try to frame your response in interest rather than praise.  "Can you tell me what this is?" or "I see you used lots of colors," rather than "I love it" or "You're so good at coloring." You are teaching your daughter to value her work and the process of creating it, rather than to seek external r...
Post a Comment
Read more

WHY MONTESSORI: The Education behind Larry Page, Beyonce, & Jeff Bezos

Imagine spending your most formative years learning to live and work successfully in a community by means of a time-tested, research-supported, and globally practiced educational method, which has produced some of the 20 th century’s most visionary creators and leaders across fields.  In your learning community, there are people of different ages, varied experience levels, and diverse personalities.  People use their words to express themselves; sometimes they have to wait for what they want; and everyone takes care of shared resources.  People practice managing available time, following interests, and deeply concentrating.  Does this sound like your adult workplace, or what you wish your workplace could be?  This is what children experience every day in Montessori communities for children ages three to six years old.  What better preparation could there be for curious, engaged, and well-adjusted adult life? Leadership, Empathy: In the first year in ...
Post a Comment
Read more