Sharing Web Resources

In reviewing the Children's Defense Fund website, the information that seemed relevant to my current professional development was the quality rating and improvement systems.  This system was put into place in the state I live in recently in the last few years and was actually part of the driving force for me to enter into a masters degree program in early education.  With this system in place, it allows for individuals and programs in early childcare to access their programs and identify areas of improvement and in some cases apply for improvement grants that allowed for continuing education for individuals interested in pursuing professional development or even a bachelor's degree program in early education.  The quality improvement systems are composed of five common elements: standards, accountability measures, program and practitioner outreach and support, financial incentives, and parent and consumer education efforts. (CDF, 2012)  The goals of the program focus not only on assessing quality but improving quality by providing financial incentives, professional development, and improved information to families.  (CDF, 2012)  The program gives families a consistent, straightforward way to distinguish quality in early education programs and make informed first educational programs experienced by their programs.  (CDF, 2012)

This program was a real eye opener to me in the fact that in early education, my degrees in molecular biology and biochemistry were not going to be sufficient if I truly wanted to provide young children with the best early educational experience I could, but with it's guidance and lots of paperwork, slowly I am completing certain aspects of my professional development with my graduate school classes along with continual professional development through the network of early education that we belong to.

An issue that I struggle with as a parent and educator is kindergarten programs becoming a mandatory full day in many states.  I know all of the benefits as an early educator; advances in cognitive learning, creative problem-solving and social competence.  (CDF, 2012)  And with the adoption of common core standards in 45 states, kindergarten students are being held to more rigorous academic standards.  (CDF, 2012).

The part I struggle with is parents being forced to put them in full day programs at such a young age and having to give up nap time, at least where I live.  It happened to us this year, we were registered for half day along with one of my childcare children and then the state was given a grant and the half day program went bye bye along with the bus.  Both of the children have exceeded academically from my program and are doing first grade math and are both reading so that was not an issue but the school environment is not nuturing and has been emotionally stressful for both girls.  I just don't feel that it should be a forced issue.  Many stay at home parents are reading to their children and putting them in preschools and activities to help develop social skills and as long as the children are prepared academically, I personally just do not feel that children five years of age should be forced into full day programs.  I have no issues with the standards and testing but it is my understanding that children could still attend half day programs and receive the academics they need and let parents have some say in the decision rather then having it forced upon us.  I just feel like with how crazy this world can be, family time, which to me is of highest priority, is often neglected and unfortunately hard to come by and we should savor as much of it as we can when our children are young.  They grow up so fast......

There are many examples of how policy makers have helped to support early education but the information I would like to share is about the early learning challenge fund. (CDF, 2012)  In 2009, to try and bridge the inconsistencies between different childhood programs, the U.S. House of Representatives released a competitive grant program for the states using an innovation and evidence based practices to improve quality in early education settings.  (CDF, 2012)  With the creation of a coordinated system of standards to promote quality education, the hopes is that the most vulnerable children that often miss out on beneficial early learning experiences with have opportunity to enter into quality education programs without cost being an issue.  (CDF, 2012)  To read more about the program look at http://childrensdefense.org and under early education care, early learning challenge fund.

The new program that I have learned about is the CDF Freedom Schools Program.  This program was created to provide summer and after school enrichment that helps children to fall in love with reading.  (CDF, 2012)  The program helps to increase children's self-esteem, and creates a positive attitude towards learning. (CDF, 2012)  In this program, children are taught using a curriculum model that is centered around five central components: high quality academic enrichment, parent and family involvement, civic engagement and social action, intergenerational leadership development, nutrition, health and mental health.  In the summer of 2012, the freedom schools partners served more than 11, 500 children in 83 cities and 25 states and is working hard to ensure that each child is equipped with necessary skills to grow and prosper in life.  (CDF, 2012)  Schools can apply to become part of this program by going to the Children's defense website, http://children's defense.org and under programs and campaigns CDF Freedom Schools program.

Reference:

Children's Defense Fund (2012) http://childrensdefense.org