Shunned and Admired: Montessori, Self-Determination, and a Case for Radical School Reform

School reform is an important national and international concern. The Montessori alternative school system is unique in that it is well-aligned with the science of healthy development and learning, has strong social–emotional and academic outcomes. Why does Montessori persist (and increasingly in the public sector) and why does it elicit such sharply contrasting reactions? This article by Angeline S. Lillard reviews several reasons why it is admired, such as evidence of Montessori’s effectiveness, its alignment with educational psychology research, and its broad scope.