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.

• What is distinctively “Montessori” about literacy?
  • How do Montessori principles (e.g., prepared environment, auto-education, sensorial foundations, cosmic education) uniquely shape literacy development?
• 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?
• 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?
• 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?
• 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.
• 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.

Intended Audience

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:

• Working Title and Author(s)
• Problem Statement & Rationale
  • What challenge(s) in Montessori literacy are you addressing, and why now?
• Conceptual Frame
  • Key lenses (e.g., science of reading, equity, multilingualism, special education, systems change, etc.).
• Outline of the White Paper
  • Proposed sections and key content points.
• Methods and Evidence Base
  • Types of evidence you will draw on (e.g., peer-reviewed research, program data, case studies, practitioner interviews, policy analysis).
• 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:

• Length: 22–24 pages | ~5,500–6,500 words (all-in: main text, tables/figures, endnotes, references, and appendices).
• 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.
• 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: