Adaptable Montessori Teacher Recognition Framework, Recommended by MACTE

*This framework is for graduates from MACTE accredited TEPs who have no college credit or did not take MACTE Accredited Teacher Education for college credit. For graduates who took their training for college credit, the credit is recognized as ECE specific college credit rather than a “plus” preparation.

1. Entry Level Recognition

No College Credit, Stand-alone Credential from a MACTE Accredited Teacher Education Program

A place for graduates from MACTE Accredited Teacher Education Programs (TEP) to step on to Registry Frameworks and State Career Ladders/Lattices. It allows an individual with no college credit to receive recognition as a novice professional in the field of Early Childhood Education. The graduate from a MACTE Accredited TEP completes significantly more Teacher Education than graduates with the CDA. Teacher recognition should demonstrate this extended effort, with recognition going beyond the CDA but before the Associate Degree. Preparation equivalence is comparable to 33 credits in an ECE program.

2. General Professional

Associate Degree AND Credential from a MACTE Accredited Teacher Education Program

This is the second level of recognition for individuals who graduated from a MACTE Accredited TEP. These individuals have acquired higher education resulting in an Associate Degree and additional Teacher Education with an equivalency comparable to a 33 credit hour program specializing in Early Childhood Education. Recognition should be provided for an Associate Degree PLUS the preparation equivalency of 33 ECE credits.

3. Advanced Professional

Bachelor Degree AND Credential from a MACTE Accredited Teacher Education Program

This is the third level of recognition for individuals with Credentials from MACTE Accredited Teacher Education Programs. This individual has obtained a Bachelor Degree and a credential from a MACTE Accredited Montessori Teacher Education Program. These individuals are considered advanced professionals due to their possession of a degree from an Institution of Higher Education and Endorsement in Early Childhood through their Montessori Credential/Diploma which, in many states, can be used in combination to apply for Department of Education Alternative Pathway Teacher Licensure (particularly for use in Publicly Funded Montessori Schools). For individuals at this level, who acquired the a Montessori Credential from a MACTE Accredited Teacher Education Program, without college credit, they are recognized as having the Degree PLUS the additional preparation equivalency of a 33 college credit hour ECE program.

4. Specialized Professional

Master’s Degree AND Credential from a MACTE Accredited Teacher Education Program

The fourth level of recognition for individuals with a Montessori Credential from a MACTE Accredited Teacher Education Program is the Specialized Professional recognition level. These are individuals who completed a Master’s Degree from an Institution of Higher Education and hold a Montessori Credential from a MACTE Accredited Teacher Education Program resulting in an Early Childhood Endorsement equivalent. These individuals are recognized as having a Master’s Degree PLUS the Early Childhood Preparation Equivalency of a 33 credit hour ECE preparation program.

5. Expert Professional

Doctorate Degree AND Credential from a MACTE Accredited Teacher Education Program

These individuals have either an Ed.D. or Ph.D. degree and hold a Credential from a MACTE Accredited Teacher Education Program. An individual at this level should be recognized as having obtained the Institution of Higher Education Standing PLUS the equivalency in Early Childhood preparation of a 33 college credit program specializing in Early Childhood Education.