Call for White Paper Proposals

Montessori Literacy Today: Aligning Timeless Practice With Modern Demands

Purpose & Strategic Focus

The American Montessori Society community is standing at an inflection point. Across districts and continents, Montessori guides are being asked to demonstrate “evidence-based literacy,” align with the science of reading expectations, and show impact for diverse learners—while safeguarding the integrity of a century-old pedagogy.

This white paper will illuminate how Montessori literacy can meet—and exceed—the demands of today while remaining faithful to its philosophical roots. We are seeking a rigorous, practice-anchored manuscript that:

• Synthesizes current literacy research and policy expectations with Montessori principles and practices.
• Clarifies how Montessori environments support code, language, comprehension, and writing across the developmental planes.
• Identifies gaps, tensions, and misalignments (e.g., with curricula such as Fundations, Wit & Wisdom, HMH Into Reading, state standards, and science-of-reading frameworks).
• Proposes actionable pathways for schools, systems, and teacher education programs to strengthen Montessori-aligned, research-grounded literacy.

The final product should serve as a strategic guidance document for Montessori leaders, districts, and policymakers—a bridge between Montessori language shelves, standards, and system-level decision-making.

Core Questions to Be Addressed

Proposals should address most, but not necessarily all, of the following guiding questions. You may also propose additional, tightly aligned questions.

1. What is distinctively “Montessori” about literacy?
   • How do Montessori principles (e.g., prepared environment, auto-education, sensorial foundations, cosmic education) uniquely shape literacy development?
     
2. How does Montessori align with (and diverge from) contemporary literacy research?
   • Where do Montessori practices support components such as phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, oral language, and writing?
   • Where are there misperceptions or genuine gaps that must be addressed?
     
3. How do Montessori literacy environments serve diverse learners today?
   • Multilingual learners, students with learning differences, and children from historically marginalized communities.
   • Equity implications: where is Montessori literacy closing gaps—and where is it at risk of reproducing them?
     
4. What are the system-level pressures and opportunities?
   • How are Montessori schools navigating alignment with mandated literacy curricula, state frameworks, district assessments, and accountability systems?
   • What are emerging promising practices and pain points?
     
5. What does “Montessori-aligned, research-grounded literacy” look like in practice?
   • Concrete examples (case studies, vignettes, brief data snapshots) from classrooms, schools, or systems.
   • Professional learning and teacher-education implications.
     
6. What strategic recommendations should AMS and the broader field consider?
   • Near-term, actionable steps for schools and systems.
   • Longer-term recommendations for research, teacher education, accreditation, and policy.

Intended Audience

The white paper should be written in clear, accessible language for a well-educated professional audience, including:

• Montessori school leaders and guides (public, charter, and independent).
• District and system leaders overseeing Montessori programs.
• Teacher education and preparation programs.
• Policymakers and partners are seeking to understand how Montessori aligns with contemporary literacy expectations.
• Researchers and funders interested in literacy, equity, and innovative learning environments.

Eligibility & Author Profile

We welcome proposals from:

• Montessori practitioners (guides, coaches, school leaders).
• Researchers and academics (literacy, bilingual education, special education, and educational policy).
• Cross-sector collaborators (district leaders, curriculum specialists, assessment designers).

Single-author and multi-author proposals are both welcome. Proposals that bridge research and lived practice—for example, a researcher co-authoring with a school leader—are especially encouraged.

Submission Requirements

Proposal (Initial Submission)
Please submit a 1.5–2 page proposal (approx. 750–1,000 words) that includes:

1. Working Title and Author(s)
2. Problem Statement & Rationale
   • What challenge(s) in Montessori literacy are you addressing, and why now?
3. Conceptual Frame
   • Key lenses (e.g., science of reading, equity, multilingualism, special education, systems change, etc.).
4. Outline of the White Paper
   • Proposed sections and key content points.
5. Methods and Evidence Base
   • Types of evidence you will draw on (e.g., peer-reviewed research, program data, case studies, practitioner interviews, policy analysis).
6. Intended Contributions
   • What will Montessori leaders, systems, and partners be able to do differently as a result of this paper?

Full White Paper (Invited Submission)

For authors selected to proceed:

1. Length: 22–24 pages | ~5,500–6,500 words (all-in: main text, tables/figures, endnotes, references, and appendices).
2. Format:
   • 12-point, standard, accessible font, double-spaced (main text).
   • APA-style citations and reference list.
   • Use clear headings, subheadings, and brief call-out boxes where helpful.
     
3. Content Expectations:
   • Executive summary (1 page).
   • Core narrative with integrated evidence.
   • 2–4 short practice vignettes or mini-case studies.
   • 1–3 figures or tables (e.g., alignment maps, models, frameworks, data snapshots).
   • Concluding section with actionable recommendations for multiple stakeholder groups.

Reviewers will also consider overall strategic fit with the goals of the AMS white paper series on Montessori literacy.

Key Dates 

• Proposal due: January 16, 2026
• Notification of invitation to submit full paper: January 30, 2026
• Full white paper draft due: March 6, 2026
• Peer/editorial feedback returned: March 23, 2026
• Final white paper due: April 10, 2026
• Publication & dissemination: April 24, 2026

Publication & Dissemination

The selected white paper will be:

• Published as part of the AMS White Paper Series on Montessori Literacy.
• Shared with AMS member schools, teacher education programs, and key partners.
• Highlighted in the AMS Research Digest and featured in relevant AMS events and communications.

How to Submit

Please submit your proposal as a single PDF document to:
Subject line: White Paper Proposal – Montessori Literacy

Include:

• Proposal document (per Section 5).
• Current CV or brief bio (1–2 paragraphs) for each author.
• Disclosure of any relevant funding or organizational affiliations.