We recommend the following websites and books for up to date information regarding Montessori Research:
Montessori – The Science behind the Genius by Angeline Stoll Lillard
Research in the UK
In the UK National Survey of Provision for 4 year olds, Montessori came at the forefront both in language and literacy and in mathematics. A University of London study found that Montessori children aged 5 showed positive social and behavioural development and attained high scores in reading and maths against national averages with no gender difference in attainment.
Research worldwide
Outcomes for Students in a Montessori Program A Longitudinal Study of the Experience in the Milwaukee Public Schools
“This study supports the hypothesis that Montessori education has a positive long-term impact. Additionally, it provides an affirmative answer to questions about whether Montessori students will be successful in traditional schools.”
“A significant finding in this study is the association between a Montessori education and superior performance on the Math and Science scales of the ACT and WKCE. In essence, attending a Montessori program from the approximate ages of three to eleven predicts significantly higher mathematics and science standardized test scores in high school.”
A Comparison of Montessori and Traditional Middle Schools: Motivation, Quality of Experience, and Social Context by Kevin Rathunde
With the help of co-investigator Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Dr. Rathunde compared the experiences and perceptions of middle school students in Montessori and traditional schools using the Experience Sampling Method (ESM). Montessori students reported a significantly better quality of experience in their academic work than did traditional students. In addition, Montessori students perceived their schools as a more positive community for learning, with more opportunities for active, rather than passive, learning.
This study was sponsored by the North American Montessori Teachers’ Association (NAMTA, an affiliate organization of AMI) and published in The NAMTA Journal 28:3 (Summer, 2003), pages 12-52.
Our thanks to all the above organisations and to all the children and their families for their ongoing support. Many other individuals and organisations not directly linked to Montessori education have also given help over the years for which we have unending gratitude.