Adapting Montessori Education: A Study of Implementation in Poland

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2024

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The Montessori method, first developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in 1907, has been adapted globally to meet the diverse needs of students and educational contexts. This study investigates how the Montessori method is implemented in Poland, through the use of qualitative methods with a case study approach. This research utilized observations, in-depth interviews, and document analysis to assess the challenges and adaptations in the implementation process. Findings indicate that Poland’s state regulations, the use of extrinsic rewards, and the discontinuation of multi-age groupings after the fourth grade at IMSP, pose significant challenges to maintaining the authenticity of Montessori education. This study underscores the importance of teacher training and strong administrative support for maintaining the fidelity of Montessori education. It also calls attention to the absence of universally accepted standards for Montessori schools, which complicates efforts to define and measure the "authenticity" of the method. These findings suggest that the challenges of adapting the Montessori method may be more universal than previously understood, particularly in relation to teacher preparation, classroom management, and curriculum flexibility. “Adaptation to the environment is something positive, a starting point from which a person can go a long way. Adaptation to the environment is the first necessity.” —Maria Montessori (1946, as cited in Haines, 2012, p. 87)

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Education, adaptations, bilingual education, case study research, International K-12 schools, Montessori, Poland

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319 pages

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