Professional Development Initiative
Analysis of educational
opportunities enables policymakers and institutions
of higher education to make informed decisions on
the provision of early childhood coursework.
Two phases of research are currently in progress:
Year 1 Research. The focus of
current research in Florida is the general status
of articulation, effective strategies being used
by selected training and education programs, and
how to best move forward in expanding current practices
and formalizing early childhood education professional
development systems. The purpose of the research
is to provide accurate baseline data about the number
of programs in Florida offering early childhood
degrees, the characteristics of faculty in those
programs and the kinds of coursework and practica
experiences provided to students; and to describe
the challenges faced by faculty members in meeting
the professional development needs of the early
childhood workforce.
Year 2 Research. In Florida, informal
child development training, or training that is
not for credit, is a predominant form of professional
development for early childhood teachers. If the
issue of articulation is ever to be fully addressed
a comprehensive approach, including research and
analysis of current informal training systems, is
necessary before modifications to the professional
development system can occur. An assessment of informal
training opportunities, such as the state mandated
hours, Child Development Associate (not for credit),
and training offered for by
continuing educational unit (CEU) authorized
entities would complete the analysis of professional
development systems for early childhood teachers in Florida.
Year 2 Brief Addendum (pdf format)
Professional development of early childhood teachers
in Florida is an important issue given potential
changes as the
Voluntary Pre-kindergarten (VPK)
system begins to take shape through legislation.
As teachers are encouraged to continuously seek
professional development opportunities, especially
by earning higher education, information pertaining
to the availability and accessibility of such programs
is important.
Early Childhood Degree Database
In an attempt to organize the often times overwhelming
amount of information about higher education opportunities
in Florida, a database was designed for one-stop
use and exploration.
This database contains information on the colleges and universities
in Florida that offer early childhood programming for those
interested in earning a two- or four-year degree in early
childhood/child development, or for those interested in earning
a Child Development Associate degree (CDA).
Search
our online database for degree opportunities
