Montessori Research Library
Researchers are increasingly contributing to the body of knowledge about Montessori education. In the AMS Research Library, you will find scholarly resources curated from a range of platforms. Look for:
- Dissertations and theses vetted by college and university faculty for appropriate research methods and conclusions.
- Peer-reviewed journal articles, the foundation of scholarly research because they are considered to be the most rigorous and valid sources of information.
- White papers authored by members of the AMS Research Committee that address issues of importance to Montessorians.
- Action research projects reporting on research designed and conducted by practitioners to solve an immediate problem or improve their own practice.
- Conference handouts from research-related workshops and posters at The Montessori Event.
We Need Your Research
AMS wants to partner with you, the researchers, to expand our growing Montessori research library. We are actively looking for research projects and are excited to offer you the ability to submit your studies today. If you are interested in having your project included, submit your project to us.
Beliefs about Autonomy Support and Control in the Classroom: An Examination of Montessori and Traditional U.S. Public School Teachers
Read Beliefs about Autonomy Support and Control in the Classroom: An Examination of Montessori and Traditional U.S. Public School Teachers by Jennifer D. Moss and Theodore J. Wheeler
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Why the Time is Ripe for an Education Revolution
This article critiques the traditional teacher-text-centered approach to teaching, arguing it misaligns with how children naturally learn. Drawing a parallel to pre-Copernican astronomy, it proposes a paradigm shift towards structured environments that foster self-directed learning through limited free choice, highlighting Montessori as a proven model for this transformative approach.
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Standardized Test Proficiency in Public Montessori Schools
This study compares standardized test performance between Montessori schools and traditional districts, finding Montessori students outperform in ELA and show promising trends in math, with smaller achievement gaps, especially among Black, Hispanic, and economically disadvantaged students.
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Seeking Racial and Ethnic Parity in Preschool Outcomes: An Exploratory Study of Public Montessori Schools vs. Business-as-Usual Schools
This exploratory study examines the outcomes of children admitted to public Montessori schools, revealing that by the end of preschool, Black, Hispanic, and multiracial children in Montessori settings closed the achievement gap with their White peers. In contrast, these students in traditional preschool settings continued to lag behind. While the findings are preliminary, they suggest that Montessori education may offer a more equitable environment for racial and ethnic diversity.
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Rates of Chronic Absenteeism in Montessori and Non-Montessori Title 1 Schools
This study investigates whether Montessori schools, known for high student engagement, are linked to lower chronic absenteeism rates or smaller racial disparities in absenteeism compared to non-Montessori schools. The findings show no significant differences in overall absenteeism rates or racial disparities between the two school types, though Montessori schools had slightly lower absenteeism for White students. The study also highlights how limitations in chronic absenteeism data collection hinder research and intervention efforts.
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Standardized Test Proficiency in Public Montessori Schools
This comprehensive review analyzes 32 studies comparing Montessori education to traditional schooling, finding that Montessori consistently outperforms in both academic and nonacademic outcomes. The results suggest that Montessori education, particularly in preschool and elementary settings, enhances skills like executive function, creativity, and general academic ability, with private Montessori settings showing the strongest effects.
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Montessori as an Alternative Early Childhood Education
This article explores how Montessori education, developed over a century ago, resolves key dichotomies in early childhood education—such as work vs. play and structure vs. freedom—through a dynamic, rather than linear, approach. It examines Montessori's origins, its proven outcomes, and its cultural responsiveness, while addressing the challenges that hinder its broader adoption in modern education.
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