For more information, contact
Don Owens at NAEYC
202-350-8857
Mobil: 202-302-5928
Email: dowens@naeyc.org

For Immediate Release:
October 12, 2007

NAEYC Announces Grant to Promote State Policy Framework for Comprehensive, Well-financed Early Childhood Professional Development and Career Systems

(Washington, DC) –- October 12, 2007 — The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a significant grant from the Buffett Early Childhood Fund and Cornerstones for Kids, sponsored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation to advance state policies to promote a high-quality, well-financed professional development and career system for early childhood educators working with young children from birth to kindergarten. 

The NAEYC project will:

• Develop a system for tracking and monitoring state public policies and associated initiatives that are designed to promote the professional development of early childhood workers;

• Formulate a policy framework, or “blueprint,” for states for the professional preparation and development of the workforce in the field of early childhood education;

• Formulate a plan for technical assistance to states about the policy framework; and

• Collaborate with other organizations, experts, and stakeholders who are working to strengthen the early childhood workforce across all settings.

While many states have components of a professional preparation, professional development and career system, many of these policies and initiatives are not yet linked and some remain absent.  Fortunately, a number of states currently are working to create policies that will improve the infrastructure of an early education system, as well as financing. 

“NAEYC believes that efforts to promote a high-quality, diverse early childhood professional workforce can be a catalyst for high-quality programs for young children,” said Mark Ginsberg, Ph.D., Executive Director of NAEYC.  “But we must address these issues with a comprehensive infrastructure and financing system in states that support early childhood educators in all settings with all children.  Fortunately, a number of states are working to create such policies, and we hope to invigorate this work across the country.”

NAEYC has been engaged in promoting a high-quality, well-compensated early childhood workforce for many years, from creating standards for teacher preparation programs, setting standards for the mark of high-quality in early childhood education programs that include criteria on what teachers know and do to support nurturing learning environments, to advocacy at the national, state and local levels for better compensation for program staff.

Founded in 1926, the National Association for the Education of Young Children has more than 100,000 members worldwide.  The association is the largest and most influential advocate for early care and education in the United States.

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