Excerpts from the report:
In order to begin framing the Association's position of ECE, and to formulate ways to meet the challenges confronting schools, colleges and departments of education (SCDEs) in preparation of quality teachers for young children, the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Ecuation (AACTE) convened a focus council of ECE experts from member institutions. This paper outlines recommendations made by the focus council for the different constituents of the ECE field, including professionals working with young children, SCDEs, policy makers, and the private sector.
The paper is organized into the following five sections:
- Background data on the status of early childhood education and early childhood teacher preparation programs
- Main principles or goals for early childhood education
- Assumptions that underpin early childhood teacher preparation programs
- Challenges and changing needs that call for program reforms, along with a series of recommendations that address the different challenges and needs
- Summary of recommendations in response to the increasing accountability requirements for SCDEs, and recommendations for policy and decision makers in the public and private sectors