First, thank you for maintaining the 14:1 child/adult ratio in mixed age classrooms, with the adjustment of 10:1 in emergency situations. 

For the past 35 years, I have worked as Montessori educator in age 3-6 and 6-12 classrooms and as Director of Education. I am Vice President of Virginia Montessori Association and serve on the Executive Board of Washington Montessori Institute, founded 60 years ago as the first AMI training organization in the US.

I hope that standards will articulate specific criteria for recognizing authentic Montessori programs. Those standards are articulated in the "Montessori Essentials" at the Montessori Public Policy Initiative MPPI , Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education MACTE , Association Montessori Internationale  AMI , and American Montessori Society AMS

Thank you.