When Dr. Montessori died in 1952, the presumptive authority of her work, including recognition and certification of schools and teachers, was the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). However, in the 1970’s, the rise of the culture-type philosophy represented by American Montessori Society (AMS) brought conflict and competition in the Montessori community concerning its recognition and representation in the general public.  Since the name “Montessori” was declared in the “public use” available to all, the battle for recognition moved to government approval.  The matter was then raised with the US federal government and its regulations to recognize private accrediting agencies for the purpose of providing accountability for the distribution of federal funds for college tuition assistance.
In the 1970’s, AMS sought to obtain this US government “recognition” for its accreditation of AMS affiliated training programs in the field.  In response, AMI countered with its own proposal for recognition.   In this conflict situation, Lee Havis led other organizations and institutions in the field to develop a single inclusive  “umbrella” accrediting agency, which could be recognized for the benefit of all. This “umbrella” approach was specifically recommended by the government agency involved.  However, since neither AMS nor AMI participated in the “umbrella” agency formation, the matter was set aside until 1986, when AMS again filed again for federal recognition of its affiliated programs, this time under the name “ACCESS”.Â
While AMS claimed their ACCESS agency was an “umbrella” open to all non-AMS institutions, it was in fact organized in an exclusive manner to favor the AMS model of “culture” type philosophy. So, again, AMI and other non-AMS institutions and organizations opposed this AMS-ACCESS recognition.  Now, representing the interests of the newly formed International Montessori Society (IMS), Lee renewed his prior development of a single inclusive “umbrella” agency, which after some initial cooperation, lost momentum as AMS broke off participation to initiate again their own form of AMS-oriented agency.  Â
Despite this lack of AMS support, however, IMS continued efforts for a truly inclusive “umbrella” accrediting agency, which in 1994 emerged as the International Montessori Accreditation Council (IMAC).  Meanwhile, AMS pursued its proposal for a separate accrediting agency, which became the “Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education” (MACTE) in 1992.
In the 1990’s, both MACTE and IMAC sought to gain official recognition from the US federal government, which was finally settled with the MACTE agency was recognized and not IMAC, due primarily to the larger number of programs participating within the MACTE agency.  Following this decision, IMAC consistently opposed any renewal or extension of MACTE recognition, pointing out its harmful effect and influence on innovation, competition, and free expression in the field of Montessori education. Â
In 2019, the recognition issues between IMAC and MACTE continue to symbolize the unresolved disharmony and conflict about the proper representation of Montessori education in society. IMS now focuses resolution of this matter in an effort to remove all government recognition of private accrediting agencies in higher education, since the federal government has other means to assure accountability for federal funding in the field.  Instead, such government interference in private accreditation has the effect of stifling competition and setting up a condition of monopoly and censorship, which has ballooned the cost of higher education, and massive increased the number of tuition loan defaults in the field. IMS argues that choice and competition, rather that restrictive recognition of one institute or philosophy in a field, is a better means to assure high quality and affordability in higher education. Â