I
have mentioned the NIEER.org website many times, for many reasons. It is an incredible resource for early
childhood information due to it’s current information on the relevant issues in
the field today. As our research this
week and last took us down the path toward removing the barriers between
children, families, and quality care, I found myself reaching into the NIEER
treasure chest yet again.
The
NIEER site has a section dedicated specifically to “ACCESS”. Additionally they have sections dedicated to
other similar issues such as, ECONOMICS AND FINANCE, GOVERNANCE AND
ACCOUNTABILITY, STATE PROGRAMS, AND UNIVERSAL AND TARGETED, among others. Within these sections I was able to find an
incredibly intriguing article written by NIEER Senior Fellow Jim Squires
entitled, Promoting a Culture of
Inclusion for Birth-Third Grade Systems within State and Local Education
Agencies. His discussion aids in
the understanding of proposed Birth-Third Systems frameworks regarding
barriers, strategies, cultural supports, inclusion, classroom practices, and
state and local policies, practices, and values.
I have included
a link to his presentation .pdf file from the 2013 National Early Childhood Inclusion Institute event in
Chapel Hill, North Carolina. http://nieer.org/sites/nieer/files/NII%20Presentation.pdf
After
learning, that Mr. Squires work was more pointedly for CEELO (Center on
Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes, a division of NIEER, I decided to further
investigate their website (ceelo.org). Their
practice is dedicated to, “fostering sustainable change in state policy and
practice for children birth to third grade” by working with State Education
Agencies to develop effective early learning opportunities and promote
innovation and accountability in the field of early education. Their work is seen frequently in the NIEER
newsletter and blog updates and is interesting to read as it contains not only
positive breakthroughs, but also reflects and informs about disappointing
setbacks and struggles.
I
am also including a link to the Trends in
State Funded Preschool Programs: Survey Findings from 2001-2002 to 2011-2012 research
project performed and compiled by NIEER and CEELO.
Not only did this research initiative point
out current data, the latest statistics and field composition, and program
evaluations within specific attributes, but it also offered some suggestions as
to how to improve conditions from their standpoint.
By
mentioning this site so frequently, I hope that it is understood how truly
grateful I am for all of the hard work they do over there. It is incredibly valuable for busy early
childhood professionals to be able to share critical information as quickly and
easily as possible. Without their
organization of the latest and greatest, I know that my journey for sure would
be much more complicated.
Hi Dana,
ReplyDeleteThanks for helping me to be more familiar with the NIEER website! I checked out the survey findings that you posted, and I found the information to be really interesting. I find that many states are taking more of an interest in early childhood based on surveys such as this one, and wish that more states would take notice.
Have a great week!
Machaela