2018 – 2019 
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Montessori Preschool Curriculum Specialization	
Career Cluster:	Education & Training

CCC	
CIP Number	0413030112	
Program Type	College Credit Certificate (CCC)	
Program Length	29 credit hours	
CTSO	N/A	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	25-9031 – Instructional Coordinators	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml 	

Purpose

This certificate program is part of the Early Childhood Education Associate Degree AS degree program (1413121004).  

A College Credit Certificate consists of a program of instruction of less than sixty (60) credits of college-level courses, which is part of an AS or AAS degree program and prepares students for entry into employment (Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.).

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Education & Training career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the Education & Training career cluster. 

The purpose of this program is to prepare students as early childhood education caregivers with a Montessori specialization or to provide supplementary training for persons previously or currently employed in these occupations.

The content includes but is not limited to Montessori philosophy and method, child growth and development theories, Montessori stages of development, educational philosophies, learning environment; guidance techniques and classroom management; family interaction; legal and professional responsibilities; and employability skills.  Programs prepare individuals to assume major care giving and educational responsibilities within Montessori center-based programs (SOC 25-9031 Instructional Coordinator).  

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the Montessori philosophy and human development. 
02.0	Demonstrate knowledge of classroom leadership. 
03.0	Demonstrate knowledge of curriculum implementation.
04.0	Demonstrate knowledge of community involvement and partnership with families. 
05.0	Guide the physical development of three, four, and five year old preschool children. 
06.0	Guide the cognitive, language, and literacy development of three, four, and five year-old preschool children.  
07.0	Guide the creative development of three, four, and five-year-old preschool children.  
08.0	Guide the social and affective development of three, four, and five-year-old preschool children.  
09.0	Initiate and facilitate positive interaction with the child’s family. 

2018 – 2019 
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Montessori Preschool Curriculum Specialization	 
CIP Number:	0413030112	
Program Length:	29 credit hours	
SOC Code(s):	25-9031

This certificate program is part of the Early Childhood Education Associate Degree AS degree program (1413121004).  At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
01.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the Montessori philosophy and human development.  The student will be able to:	
01.01	Demonstrate an understanding of and implements Montessori philosophy with a focus on the early childhood years; 	
01.02	Comprehend and utilize an understanding of the stages of human growth, development, and educational theories with an emphasis from two and one-half (2 1/2) through six (6) years of age; 	
01.03	Demonstrate evidence of personal growth through self-evaluation and introspection; 	
01.04	Demonstrate knowledge of developmental and behavioral norms and potential recommendations toward early intervention services.	
09.0	Demonstrate knowledge of classroom leadership.  The student will be able to:	
09.01	Demonstrate observation, documentation, and analytical skills necessary for planning and recording the progress of children.	
09.02	Utilize cultural sensitivity in support of the development of individual children; 	
09.03	Demonstrate an ability to implement effective classroom strategies;	
09.04	Demonstrate leadership skills and an understanding of professional standards; 	
09.05	Incorporate an understanding of administrative functions.	
10.0	Demonstrate knowledge of curriculum implementation.  The student will be able to:	
10.01	Demonstrate the principles of Montessori environmental and material design;	
10.02	Articulate the rationale and sequence of the Montessori curriculum;	
10.03	Demonstrate proficiency in applying Montessori principles in the context of the curriculum, didactic materials, and lesson presentations; 	
10.04	Design and maintain a developmentally appropriate Montessori environment in response to the needs of students;	
10.05	Utilize a variety of instructional strategies and assessment methods;	
10.06	Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of governmental regulations.	
11.0	Demonstrate knowledge of community involvement and partnership with families. The student will be able to:	
11.01	Demonstrate cultural sensitivity in communications and work with families and children. 	
11.02	Demonstrate an awareness of community resources for additional support of children and families.	
11.03	Identify and have an awareness of available professional associations.	
12.0	Guide the physical development of three, four, and five year old preschool children.  The student will be able to:	
12.01	Demonstrate knowledge of physical development.	
12.02	Plan developmentally appropriate gross motor activities.	
12.03	Implement developmentally appropriate gross motor activities	
12.04	Plan developmentally appropriate fine motor activities.	
12.05	Implement developmentally appropriate fine motor activities.	
12.06	Select appropriate equipment and materials for physical development.	
12.07	Observe and collect data on physical development.	
13.0	Guide the cognitive, language, and literacy development of three, four, and five-year-old preschool children.  The student will be able to:	
13.01	Demonstrate knowledge of cognitive, language, and literacy development.	
13.02	Implement developmentally appropriate language and literacy activities.	
13.03	Implement developmentally appropriate math activities.	
13.04	Implement developmentally appropriate science activities.	
13.05	Implement developmentally appropriate social science activities.	
13.06	Implement problem solving activities which foster critical thinking skills.	
13.07	Recognize and use alternative forms of communication.	
13.08	Observe and collect data on cognitive, language, and literacy development.	
14.0	Guide the creative development of three, four, and five-year-old preschool children.  The student will be able to:	
14.01	Demonstrate knowledge of creative development.	
14.02	Implement developmentally appropriate music activities.	
14.03	Implement developmentally appropriate art activities.	
14.04	Implement developmentally appropriate creative movement activities.	
14.05	Observe and collect data on creative development.	
15.0	Guide the social and affective development of three, four, and five-year-old preschool children.  The student will be able to:	
15.01	Demonstrate knowledge of social and affective development.	
15.02	Implement activities that help children to develop interpersonal skills.	
15.03	Implement developmentally appropriate self-concept activities.	
15.04	Implement developmentally appropriate activities that promote multicultural understanding.	
15.05	Implement activities that help children to gain developmentally appropriate awareness of, and understanding of, oppressive beliefs and behaviors.	
15.06	Implement activities that help children gain appropriate tools for countering the hurtful impact of bias on themselves and their peers.	
15.07	Implement developmentally appropriate dramatic play activities.	
15.08	Implement developmentally appropriate group activities.	
15.09	Observe and collect data on social and affective development.	
16.0	Initiate and facilitate positive interaction with the child’s family.  The student will be able to:	
16.01	Implement parent involvement activities.	
16.02	Demonstrate interpersonal skills.	
16.03	Demonstrate positive and productive staff and parent interactions.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

Special Notes

This program includes field placements (Practicum I & II) in an approved Montessori early childhood classroom under the supervision of approved instructors.  The student must successfully complete the required courses in this area of specialization.  Students will be encouraged to participate in organizations and associated activities which are consistent with their professional goals.

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

Additional Resources

For additional information regarding articulation agreements, Bright Futures Scholarships, Fine Arts/Practical Arts Credit and Equivalent Mathematics and Equally Rigorous Science Courses please refer to:
http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml.