Resources for Faculty

Meeting the NAEYC Professional Preparation Standards

The NAEYC Recognition process hinges on programs’ deep understanding and application of the five core NAEYC standards of professional preparation: Students’ knowledge of child development and learning, working with families and communities, use of assessment and documentation, teaching and learning, and becoming a professional. Success in program improvement and National Recognition of the program depends on the alignment of program assessments with these five NAEYC standards.

The program report will contain information on six to eight assessments required by NCATE of all programs. These include:

1. State licensure exam or an assessment of content knowledge (many states and institutions require a Praxis exam)

2. Second assessment of content knowledge

3. Assessment showing students’ ability to plan and implement

4. Evaluation of student teaching

5. Assessment showing students’ impact on children’s learning

6. Assessment of the program’s choice

7. Assessment of the program’s choice (optional)

8. Assessment of the program’s choice (optional)

Types of Programs

All baccalaureate and graduate degree programs submitted for NAEYC Recognition are desginated as one of these three types.

Initial-licensure Programs. These are programs that create for their students a foundation in the standards, values, theory, and research of early childhood programs. They include baccalaureate and masters degree programs that lead to an initial license to teach in early childhood programs and classrooms.
Advanced Programs. These are programs that accept students that already have a license to teach in early childhood and extend and enhance these students’ knowledge and application in early childhood. These programs may have a specialized focus, such as advocacy, administration, or mentoring. They include masters and doctoral programs.
Blended Programs. These are programs that address both early childhood (NAEYC) standards and special education (Council for Exceptional Children) standards. They prepare teachers and other professionals to develop and work within inclusive settings that serve all children, disabled and otherwise.

Samples and FAQs

NAEYC aims to support faculty as they participate in the report and review process with a number of resources, including Sample Assessments, Charts, & Reports, resources for specific types of programs, and Frequently Asked Questions:

Perhaps most helpful are examples of successful reports. See an annotated report that explains what NAEYC reviewers might look for, as well as real program reports that passed, or became Nationally Recognized. Examine an example of an assessment that is aligned with NAEYC standards and its rubric and data table.

NCATE provides a variety of rich and detailed resources for faculty compiling reports including updated guidelines on submitting reports, explanations about State relations, information on protocols and contacts, and a summary of Frequently Asked Questions on their Institutions page.

Workshops

NAEYC offers full-day workshops for faculty compiling program reports in conjunction with our conferences. These interactive workshops are an excellent opportunity to learn more about the report requirements, to hear from experienced reviewers, to see examples and get ideas about assessment systems and program improvement, and to network with colleagues also going through accreditation. Read more about upcoming workshops.

Interested in becoming a reviewer?

NAEYC’s recognition system depends upon the commitment and professionalism of our peer reviewers. For initial and advanced programs, reviewers agree to participate in at least one annual cycle (spring or fall) each year. A team of 2-3 reviewers will read each program report, complete a draft recognition report. The team lead will post the final team report to the NCATE website. NAEYC then assigns a team of two auditors (experienced reviewers) to audit each team report. Finally, NCATE and NAEYC make any necessary technical edits to the Recognition Report before it is posted for the institution.

NAEYC accepts online reviewer applications year round. Qualified applicants are invited to NAEYC Reviewer training. Click here for a reviewer application.