Course Goals
In reading the course description for Dynamics of Early Childhood Policies and Systems I found myself agreeing with the generalization that "early childhood professionals see the policy-making arena as an alien world, one in which they feel ill at ease and unequipped to participate" (The Finance Project,2013). This statement describes my exact feelings in regards to the policy-making arena of early childhood.
Therefore, my first goal for this course is to become a better "policy-oriented communicator" so that I will not feel "ill at ease" or "unequipped" to join in creating policies for the early childhood field which will provide families and young children with more comprehensive high quality services.
My second goal is learn how I can advocate locally more. While I am a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and I participate in their contact your State Legislator and other projects I have yet to determine how I can make more of a positive impact locally. I have recently joined the Southern Kentucky Association for the Education of Young Children (SKYAEYC) I am still trying to determine how to advocate more locally. I believe it is important to advocate both at the National level as well as at the local level. In the past 10 years I have seen the views regarding Early Childhood change dramatically with more governmental support and with more Colleges and Universities offering Early Childhood Degrees. I hope to be a part of the continuing positive change in the Early Childhood Field.
The third goal I have for this course is to learn more about Quality Rating Improvement Systems (QRIS). While I am familiar with them somewhat as our local Head Start / Early Head Start program of course was participating in this program I would like to learn about how it works and how it impacts early childhood programs.
The last goal I have is to be able to put everything that I learn in this course into action in my professional career as an Early Childhood Professional so that I can have a positive impact on the early childhood services needed for young children and families.
Toni,
ReplyDeleteI, too, would like to learn how I can make a more positive impact locally. You mentioned the importance of advocating; advocacy is imperative to get positive changes to happen for our young children and their families. As early childhood professionals, we need to become the voice for children.
Toni,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate and understand your opening statement about policies being alien. Working in the public school system, most policies are established by administrators and district personnel. The policies are distributed and expectations are they will be followed. Occasionally, teachers are allowed input such as development school wide behavior initiative or working with district committees on developing curriculum.
I am also interested in the QRIS and ECERS for evaluating programs. I believe the information could be used in reflecting on systems within my classroom.
Good luck on reaching your goals.
Sharon Lloyd
I like your goal of becoming "better policy-orientated communicator". This is so important for all early childhood professionals. By being well-versed in policies and systems and being able to communicate effectively with others, we can advocate for more funding and awareness of the need for high quality early childhood education. Joining both local, state, and national groups is a great way to get involved and make a difference in how early childhood is viewed by others outside of the profession. Children need us to be proactive in working for better educational opportunities for them now and in the future.
ReplyDeleteToni,
ReplyDeleteThere seems to be a consensus that we all want to learn more about advocacy on the local level. I do not know if there is one specific direction given to achieve this goal. I find myself having to advocate for children in court at least two or three times a year. However, it is usually a court order for me to attend on behalf of a child in my program. Otherwise, I am not sure how to go about finding those opportunities or where to begin in my search.
As for creating policies, I have had that experience in my own school when I had to create the policy and procedures manual for the school. I sat down and created the policies for the staff and then I asked the teaching and support staff to assist me in creating policies that would benefit the entire school. We then sent them to the school board for approval. I wanted them to be a part of creating the policies and procedures because it would help them to better understand protocol when they had to explain the policies to a student or parent. It also helps them follow the policies and procedures more closely because they were a part of creating the manual. When the policy manual received board approval the teachers felt like they had accomplished something positive for the school. We go back and review them at the beginning of each school year in the orientation session to make any necessary changes. Outside of this experience, I am hesitant as to how to develop policies but I am sure we will be learning more about this as we move forward in this course.
Darla
Darla,
DeleteAfter joining the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) I also joined the Southern Kentucky Association for the Education of Young Children (SKYAEC). I think I am going to pay more attention to meetings that they have and see if I can't possibly attend one. I believe this might help me get a jump start on advocating at the local level. I am also looking into becoming a CASA Volunteer in my area. So I am hoping along with this class and these opportunities I have located that I will be able to achieve this goal
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ReplyDeleteToni,
ReplyDeleteThose are good ideas. I had not thought about CASA, it is a program that is doing a lot of good for the families in my area. I wish you well in all of your endeavors.
Darla