MACTE Update By Carolyn Pinkerton

UPDATE

BY DR. CAROLYN PINKERTON

A Closer Look: The Workings of MACTE’s Staff and Board

The staff of the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) is small yet mighty; we are a team of seven working primarily from our homes these days to support our programs and keep the accreditation process for educator preparation programs informed. There is an additional team that is also a part of MACTE and has been since the beginning: the MACTE board of directors. The board of directors help support MACTE to strive to meet its mission “to recognize, assure, and promote the high quality of that preparation through its system of accreditation for the ultimate purpose of advancing Montessori student learning.” While they may operate a bit more behind the scenes, their work plays a vital role in MACTE’s operations.

The MACTE board is composed of fourteen professionals, which include a board member emeritus.* Each individual brings with them a wealth of experience as Montessori teachers, program directors of teacher education programs, and accreditation 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.

One of the largest undertakings of the MACTE board is making accreditation decisions. At least five times a year, the board works to review a compilation of documentation for each program; this documentation includes the program’s Self-Study, their on-site verification visit report, the Program Director’s response, and any other necessary supporting details. They vote for all accreditation decisions, from initial programs to renewals and all the substantive changes a program is required to complete. Board members work in teams of two to review the documentation and present the case and motion with their recommendation to the rest of the board. After the presentation and discussion, the board votes to accept the motion for accreditation or revise the motion. After the motion is agreed upon there is a final vote on the accreditation decision. MACTE staff is there during the board meetings to answer any clarifying questions a board member

may have. If there is an identified area of concern, the board will discuss and may generate stipulations a program needs to address in order to improve. It is also possible that the board may vote to not grant or to revoke a program’s accreditation if they are not in compliance with MACTE’s Quality Principles and other administrative 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

process of reviewing the MACTE By-laws, including information on how the board is selected, composed, and functions as the governing body. There are efforts underway to ensure the MACTE board represents the diverse Montessori community. We know there is always room for improvement and much work to be done. We are so pleased to have the MACTE board as a team to

support the efforts to actualize our vision of all children throughout the world having the opportunity to access quality Montessori education.

* To learn about the individuals who comprise MACTE’s board of directors, please visit https:// www.macte.org/board-of-directors/ ** For a list of MACTE’s recognized Montessori organizations, please visit https://www.macte. org/affiliates/

Dr. Carolyn Pinkerton is the Director of Communications & State Relations at the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE). Carolyn shares vital information with accredited programs as well as connects others in the Montessori teacher education community. She has been involved in all parts of the accreditation process, including the review of Self-Studies, onsite visits, and trainings. Prior to her tenure with MACTE, Carolyn worked with children teaching English as a second language and creating an elementary reading program. Carolyn received her doctorate in the Social Foundations of Education from the University of Virginia.

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