tion for the ultimate purpose of advancing
the case and motion with their recommen-
Montessori student learning.” While they
dation to the rest of the board. After the
may operate a bit more behind the scenes,
presentation and discussion, the board
their work plays a vital role in MACTE’s
votes to accept the motion for accredita-
operations.
tion or revise the motion. After the mo-
The MACTE board is composed of
tion is agreed upon there is a final vote on
fourteen professionals, which include a
the accreditation decision. MACTE staff is
board member emeritus.* Each individual
there during the board meetings to answer
brings with them a wealth of experience as
any clarifying questions a board member
Montessori teachers, program directors of teacher education programs, and accredi-
UPDATE BY DR. CAROLYN PINKERTON
A Closer Look: The Workings of MACTE’s Staff and Board
tation professionals working in higher education. The board is composed to represent all Montessori levels, from infant-toddler through secondary, and represent MACTE’s recognized Montessori organizations.** This team of qualified individuals provides their vision and leadership in governing MACTE as the accreditor of Montessori educator preparation programs.
The staff of the Montessori Accredi-
One of the largest undertakings of the
tation Council for Teacher Education
MACTE board is making accreditation deci-
(MACTE) is small yet mighty; we are a team
sions. At least five times a year, the board
of seven working primarily from our homes
works to review a compilation of documen-
these days to support our programs and
tation for each program; this documenta-
keep the accreditation process for educa-
tion includes the program’s Self-Study,
may have. If there is an identified area of
tor preparation programs informed. There
their on-site verification visit report, the
concern, the board will discuss and may
is an additional team that is also a part of
Program Director’s response, and any other
generate stipulations a program needs to
MACTE and has been since the beginning:
necessary supporting details. They vote
address in order to improve. It is also pos-
the MACTE board of directors. The board
for all accreditation decisions, from initial
sible that the board may vote to not grant
of directors help support MACTE to strive
programs to renewals and all the substan-
or to revoke a program’s accreditation if
to meet its mission “to recognize, assure,
tive changes a program is required to com-
they are not in compliance with MACTE’s
and promote the high quality of that prep-
plete. Board members work in teams of two
Quality Principles and other administrative
aration through its system of accredita-
to review the documentation and present
matters. The board of directors also provides governance and counsel to MACTE for policy considerations. After voting on accreditation decisions at each board meeting, there is time for discussion items to be addressed. The board represents MACTE to the Montessori community, so there is frequent conversation between MACTE staff and board members to provide updates and explanations about what is currently taking place. To be accredited by MACTE means a program is dedicated to continuous improvement.
Likewise,
MACTE
is
dedicated to continuously improving as an organization. We are currently in the
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©MONTESSORI LEADERSHIP | WWW.MONTESSORI.ORG/IMC | VOLUME 24 ISSUE 12 •• 2022 2022
