🗓 2025-06-23 – Weekly Montessori News & Trends: Key Developments & Community Insights

What's News in Montessori
1

:toolbox: Montessori Weekly Brief: June 17–23, 2025

This past week brought a mix of local challenges and broader policy discussions impacting the Montessori community. From a Detroit school’s legal battle against commercial development to shifts in public program funding and federal policy, there’s plenty to keep up with. Let’s dive into the highlights.

  1. :money_bag: Federal Funding Uncertainty Creates ‘Tsunami’ for Schools
    Schools nationwide are facing significant uncertainty with federal funding for the 2025 fiscal year. The current administration has reportedly cut grants, ended contracts, and delayed funding estimates, leaving districts with little clear communication. Programs vital for migrant students, professional development, and English learners are at risk of elimination, raising concerns for rural districts and Head Start providers. This financial instability could lead to major budget cuts in staffing and academic programs across the country.
    :date: Published: June 17, 2025
    :link: A 'Tsunami' of Uncertainty Is Crashing Into Federal Funding for Schools

  2. :handshake: ‘School as Hub’ Model Improves Attendance in Nebraska Counties
    Schools in Douglas and Sarpy counties, Nebraska, are seeing improved student attendance with the ‘School as Hub’ model. This approach connects families with their school community from a child’s birth, fostering a sense of belonging. For instance, Millard’s Cody Elementary significantly reduced its chronic absenteeism rate from 26% to 10% over four years. This demonstrates how early relationships and parental involvement are key to better attendance and smoother transitions to kindergarten.
    :date: Published: June 23, 2025
    :link: Schools in Douglas, Sarpy counties see improvements in attendance with 'School as Hub' model - The Reader

:hammer_and_wrench: Tools & Tips

  • :books: NLC’s “Decades in the Making” Toolkit for Early Childhood Policy
    The National League of Cities (NLC) has released its “Decades in the Making Toolkit” to help local governments advance early childhood policy. This resource, based on a two-year study of four cities—Boston, MA; Hartford, CT; Jacksonville, FL; and Seattle, WA—outlines best practices and actionable strategies for strengthening local child care economies, including support for the workforce and parents. It offers guidance on how to achieve policy outcomes and is available for communities of any size looking to launch, grow, or strengthen their child care sector.
    :link: NLC Releases New Toolkit to Support Local Governments Looking to Advance Early Childhood Policy - National League of Cities

  • :teacher: Positive Discipline in the Montessori Classroom – Practitioner’s Workshop
    An online interactive workshop, “Positive Discipline in the Montessori Classroom,” is currently running, with sessions through July. Based on the book by Jane Nelsen and Chip DeLorenzo, this training helps participants implement respectful and effective classroom management methods aligned with Montessori values like mutual respect and fostering independence. The course provides an eBook, a printable workbook, and interactive group discussions, with video recordings available for missed sessions. The first class was held on June 23, 2025, offering a flexible way for educators to deepen their practice.
    :link: Practitioner's Class - June 2025 - Positive Discipline in the Montessori Classroom

:bulb: Fun Fact

Did you know that a core feature of Montessori education is its multi-age classrooms? Children learn alongside peers who can be as much as three years older or younger than them. This setup isn’t just for convenience; it fosters a natural, collaborative learning community, allowing younger children to learn from older students and encouraging older students to reinforce their knowledge by teaching and mentoring their younger classmates. This approach promotes social development, peer teaching, and individualized learning paths, allowing children to progress at their own pace without feeling pressured by age-based cohorts.
:link: 10 Facts About Montessori Schools You Didn't Know | ACA Blog

:ear: We’d love to hear from you!

Have you participated in any Montessori events or utilized new Montessori tools recently? Share your experiences or insights with us—we’re featuring selected community voices in next week’s edition.