DeeDee is right to point out more traditional schooling as having a very concrete mastery point. Pass such as such with an 80% and you can move on for example. Traditional Montessori isn't going to work like that. At least not in the 6-9 year olds (1st - 3rd). There is no cut score that I've ever seen except in spelling. And it's more child directed than traditional schooling as well. Which can be great for some kids and not so great for others.
I remember in my student teaching having a very bright boy want to pour water and scoop rice all day or he wanted to do work that was above the level he was ready for. That same boy would become super frustrated with appropriate work even though he could do it just fine. His mind was ready for harder work only his concentration level and maturity weren't.
Thankfully I had a fantastic master teacher there to help figure out what to do. She got a desk and assigned it to him. NOT a typical Montessori method, but he needed that. She assigned him a large project to complement his lessons and required him to write less than other children since writing was an issue for him. And she allowed him to pour rice or water or do something below his level once a day. She met all his needs. It was absolutely amazing to watch. I only wish I had been there to see how it played out by the end of the year. I'm guessing fantastically.
I guess it comes down to what we all face each year... Is the teacher willing and able to adapt to the students needs.
