Dear IMC Members,
The International Montessori Council (IMC) is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity to our member schools. We are developing a consortium of schools in partnership with the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector (NCMPS). IMC member schools who agree to participate in this research-based project will benefit in a variety of ways. First and foremost, this project will fuel your school’s efforts in continuous improvement. These assessment tools will provide information to schools and teachers that can be used to coach and mentor faculty, inform practice, and utilize support and resources to improve student outcomes.
Many of you have heard of the Developmental Environmental Rating Scale (DERS) and Minnesota Executive Function Scale (MEFS). The two PDFs that further explain these tools and their validity can be on montessori.org.
“The DERS is a classroom observation tool that measures environmental and behavioral qualities proven to support executive functions, linguistic and cultural fluency, and social-emotional development. Inspired by the specificity and coherence of Montessori learning environments, and developed over three years of school-based and laboratory research, the DERS provides a detailed, concrete, and dynamic view of what is happening inside classrooms for children between the ages of three and twelve.” —NCMPS
“The MEFS provides a brief, reliable, valid, inexpensive, and easily administered direct behavioral measure of executive function starting in pre-k and for school entrance. The MEFS makes it possible to identify children in need of additional assessment, to track the development of executive function during childhood and beyond, and to evaluate the effects of interventions and curricula.”
—Reflection Sciences
Benefits for Participation in the Consortium Include:
♣ The significantly reduced annual fee of $500
♣ Full day training (online or live) on DERS & MEFS for 2-5 staff members (depending on school size)
♣ DERS subscriptions for unlimited use
♣ MEFS subscriptions for up to 20 students
♣ Access to additional MEFS subscriptions for $5/child
♣ Membership in DERS network
For more information on how to qualify and register for this opportunity, visit: tinyurl.com/imc-ders-mefs or email kathyleitch@montessori.org.
Montessori Leadership/ May 2018/ Pg 21
