DEL Releases Culturally Responsive Guidelines

Cultural Responsiveness:

The ability to learn from and relate respectfully with people of your own culture as well as those from other cultures.

As mandated by Washington’s Early Start Act (passed in July of 2015), this past week, the Department of Early Learning (DEL) provided recommendations to the Legislature on research-based cultural competency guidelines for early learning professional training.

Because cultural responsiveness is a key priority for DEL’s professional development strategy, DEL organized the Professional Development Cultural Considerations Workgroup. The group was made up of community organizations and experts, who created a set of standards that would provide a framework to strengthen the cultural responsiveness in the training, competencies, and standards for early learning professional development.

The Culturally Responsive Guidelines reflect the importance of diversity in the early learning field and highlight the importance of helping early learning professionals better serve and relate to all children with unique cultures, heritages, languages, beliefs, and circumstances. 

The Guidelines:

• Serve as a statewide resource for everyone involved in the professional development of early childhood educators.
• Provide expectations for professional development creation, delivery, and evaluation.
• Outline essential information to enhance the cultural responsiveness of professional development in Washington State.
• Provide a lens for continuous quality improvement of the professional development system and professional competencies. 

The Guidelines will be woven into existing documents and training like the Trainer Competencies, Core Competencies, Early Learning Guidelines, and Relationship Based Professional Development Competencies. State Approved trainers and higher education may use the Guidelines as a common reference point when determining culturally responsive policy and practice.

Thank you to the many partners who provided guidance to the creation of the Culturally Responsive Guidelines for Professional Development!

To read the full report, go here: del.wa.gov/culturallyresponsive.

Professional Development: A Cornerstone of High-Quality Programs & Outcomes for Children

Levels of education among early learning professionals in Washington, and around the country, vary significantly. Research is clear that children who attend high-quality early learning programs are more likely to be ready for Kindergarten and perform successfully in school and beyond. We know that the quality of any early childhood education program depends significantly on the qualifications of its teachers. 

Several studies on teacher preparation indicate the importance of a highly-skilled and trained workforce when it comes to positive child outcomes:

· “The professional development of practitioners is universally recognized in Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) as a key ingredient to improving the quality of early care and education. Research also shows that qualified and well-compensated care providers and teachers are the cornerstone of high-quality early childhood programs.”[1]

· “Well-educated teachers with specialized training in early childhood education have the knowledge and skills to positively impact child outcomes. Research shows that the most effective preschool teachers have a four-year degree with specialized training in teaching young children.”[2]

· “Preparation programs, training, mentoring and coaching, and in-service professional development are all critical direct mechanisms for developing and sustaining the knowledge and competencies of professionals.”[3]

DEL staff and state partners at the National Academy of Medicine state convening in early May. Washington State Department of Early Learning, Thrive Washington, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Child Care Aware, Head Start Collaboration Office, Early Childhood Teacher Preparation Council and Higher Education Partners.

State and national momentum is increasing to support policy change to address low wages, accessibility of professional development and highlighting the connection between teacher preparation and child outcomes. The Department of Early Learning is working alongside state and national partners in state planning efforts and national learning tables. A recent workforce survey went out to early learning programs all around the state to learn more about experiences related to educator hiring and retention.  Stay tuned for the results of that survey and more information about our state’s work to support the early learning workforce.

Footnotes:
[1] Building an Early Childhood Professional Development System (2010) NGA Center For Best Practice Issue Brief Full Report

[2] J. Coffman and M.E. Lopez, “Raising Preschool Teacher Qualifications,” Montclair and New York: The Schumann Fund for New Jersey and The Trust for Early Education, 2003).Full Report

[3] Institute of Medicine (IOM) and National Research Council (NRC). 2015. Transforming the workforce for children birth through age 8: A unifying foundation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Full report

DEL Redesigns Scholarship Program

The Department of Early Learning is excited to announce the redesign of the scholarship program for early learning professionals! This will allow us to streamline services and support early learning professionals in their career development.

Beginning July 1, 2016:

• Early Achievers Grants: Students pursuing an Early Childhood Education certificate and/or Associate Degree offered through a Washington State community and technical college will apply to for an Early Achievers Grant through their local community and technical college. This scholarship program is managed by the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges.

• Washington Scholarships for Child Care Professionals: Students pursuing their Child Development Associate Credential (CDA), GED or attending a public University working towards a Bachelor’s degree will apply to Child Care Aware of Washington for a Washington Scholarship for Early Learning Professionals. This program is managed by Child Care Aware of Washington. Current Washington Scholarship recipients will continue to be funded by Washington Scholarships while actively enrolled and meeting eligibility criteria.

"We support a seamless transition for current scholarship recipients with continuous financial assistance, advising and uninterrupted course work," said DEL Assistant Director Nicole Rose.

DEL and state partners will develop a transition plan and will share additional information in the coming months regarding scholarship applications, eligibility and guiding resources for scholarship recipients (such as an FAQ document).

For more information about scholarships, educational programs and career options in early learning, please visit the newly-developed Early Childhood Education Career Planning Portal at http://ececareers.del.wa.gov.   If you have immediate questions, you may contact MERIT Support at MERIT@del.wa.gov.

Becoming an Early Learning Professional Made Easy by Online Tool

The Department of Early Learning (DEL), the Center for Excellence for Careers in Education and the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) have partnered to release the Early Childhood Education Career Planning Portal.

Screen shot of Early Childhood Education Career Planning Portal.

“Professional development is a key component of enhancing early education in Washington state,” said DEL director Ross Hunter. “The launch of this portal is one way that we hope to make higher education and training accessible.”

The portal is currently live at http://ececareers.del.wa.gov/. It features early childhood career options with “day-in-the-life” descriptions and position qualifications. Users can easily 

• browse college degrees and certificates,
• connect directly with college advisors and
• begin planning careers and education goals. 

Users are also able to navigate the site independently, with an advisor or an Early Achievers coach.

One of the most innovative features of the Early Childhood Education Career Planning Portal is the advanced search function. It allows for a map-view of all educational programs throughout the state—online programs are also listed and described.

Support services are available on the portal, including, scholarship information, links to early learning partners and the professional development division at DEL.

For more information about professional development or the new portal, please contact: MERIT@del.wa.gov.

Join DEL's Professional Development Community

Professional development is an important part of having an effective early childhood workforce in programs that serve young children and families. The Department of Early Learning's Professional Development team is dedicated to supporting people who are passionate about early education and wish to find ways to enhance their training, attend informational, educational and/or networking events and more. 

This team helps Washington's early childhood education workforce become as prepared and knowledgeable as possible for the development of our state's children during some of their most formative years.

With a growing need for educators, DEL's Professional Development (PD) team is using new ways to reach out and grow the PD community. One of those ways is through the launch of their new Facebook page, which already has a community of over 1200 people who get up-to-date announcements about training, tips for career enhancement and more.

According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), 

"The professional development of all early childhood educators—at all levels of expertise—should be an ongoing process: All professionals need to continue to update their knowledge and skills—through a coherent and systematic program of learning experiences." 

If you care for and teach young children professionally or you’re interested in a career working with children and families, Washington’s professional development system can help you:

• Learn what you need to know and be able to do when caring for children.
• Manage your training and education record.
• Find opportunities for training and education.
• Find resources and financial support for your professional development.

DEL's PD team is involved with the maintenance of MERIT. MERIT (Managed Education and Registry Information Tool) is an online portal that helps professionals in the field of early care and education in Washington:

• Keep track of their education and training experience
• Find training opportunities by state-approved trainers
• Share their qualifications with current and future employers
• Complete a portable background check application
• Be recognized and receive awards for their professional achievements

MERIT is for anyone who works in early care and education, including facilities and programs such as:

• Family home child care
• Child care centers
• Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP)
• Head Start
• School-age child care

MERIT is also for those who support early care and education:

• Administrators, including facility directors and program supervisors
• Coaches and trainers
• K–12 educators and higher education faculty

DEL's PD team is also currently in the process of restructuring its resources in a way that makes sense for early learning professionals. Check out their Resource Gallery online to find a collection of resources for state approved trainers and professionals to use when offering classes or learning more about early care and education. The Resource Gallery is organized by the following Core Competencies which are essential to early learning:

• Child Growth and Development
• Curriculum and Learning Environment
• Ongoing Measurement of Child Progress
• Families and Community Partnerships
• Health, Safety and Nutrition
• Interactions
• Program Planning and Development
• Professional Development and Leadership

You can find great information if you browse the Professional Development pages of DEL's website such as financial or educational award information, training info and more. Join the PD community and enhance your learning today!