As I was browsing the NIEER website I discovered links that are
sorted by categories. For example, access, assessment, economics and finance, English
language learners, federal, outcomes, quality and curriculum, state and local,
stem, and work force. Once clicking on a link, it takes you to a series of
research articles that relate to the topic chosen. As I was browsing this area
of the website I learned there is a lot of research information provided. A lot
of this information is given based on issues within ECED while giving dates and
years of the current events. Something I really like about this part of the
website is while it provides many different articles starting with the most
recent, it then also has subgroups within that article. For example, an article
titled “Why Should the federal government support high- quality early
education?” has a subheading which describes the points the article will focus
on. This article in particular lists, access, assessment, state and local and
pre-k evaluations (nieer.org) as the subgroups. I like this because it explains
what you may find in the article and makes it easier to identify whether this
article will answer your questions.
While I do receive
the weekly newsletters, I am unable to open any links provided by the newsletter.
I enjoy reading the news letters because they provide great information about current
topics of discussion in early childhood education and also provide great
resources. It is disappointing that these links are reporting as “blocked” by
the organization, but the information shared gives me an idea of what I can
research on my own. The information from this week’s newsletter is about the
qualifications a teacher should obtain in order to educate young children. The
newsletter discusses a two- tier system that could be implemented where
teachers enter with high- qualifications will receive jobs with more pay and
benefits while teachers who enter with lower qualifications will receive poor
pay and few benefits with less hope of advancement through the field
(nieer.org). This article argues that teachers should have at least a BA in
order to educate young children and states that this will make education better
for young children as well as the community.
This information
relates to our topic of discussion this week about equity because the quality
of a program is sometimes determined by the qualification of the teachers
within the program. Families want their children to attend high- quality
programs with teachers of high- quality.
Proposing that teachers are required to have at least a BA may increase
the amount of high- quality programs within a state. I also came across an
article about a family who was struggling to make ends meet due to the cost of
child care. Since the cost of childcare is almost the same amount as a family’s
mortgage, it is challenging to not fall below the poverty line even when living
in a two-income household. This article explained that this family had to make
other arrangements and sell their house and move in with family members in
order to afford the bills of childcare. This is a challenge that many families
face creating several barriers for families to overcome in order to provide
their child with quality education.
After researching
many articles discussing barriers families face with regards to equity in early
childhood education, I have learned how difficult it can be to afford the
services you want for your child. At times, it is out of your control as to
what can be afforded, but with the appropriate supports provided by a state a
family can receive these programs. I also realize that even a family who has
two steady incomes may face challenges when it comes to paying for high-
quality education programs. There are many barriers that even I could face one
day and it is important to be aware of these barriers.
Reference
Rutgers Graduate School of Education. (2018). National Institute
for Early Education Research (NIEER). Retrieved from:
nieer.org/research-topics/access
Brianna,
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is hard for parents to be able to afford the program and services they want for children. In MN the cost for full time childcare can cost about the same as a mortgage payment on a pretty big house. I am sure this is the case in most states. We also have programs in MN that will not take any king of tuition government aide. This means that families would have to pay for their child's care out of their own pocket. There are definitely barriers parent have to face when it comes to early childhood education. It is important to be aware of these barriers and take steps toward eradicating them. Great post! Thanks for sharing!
Susan
Hi Brianna. Thanks for the information. Minnesota made the news this past week on this website. http://nieer.org/news/schools-governor-push-to-make-preschool-funding-permanent...this has been a big debate in MN is the funding for Universal PreK. Legislators here in MN have been working hard not give all the funding to the schools districts for Universal PreK...what about centers and family child care who have quality programs, participate in the quality rating program at the state level as well as quality educators with early childhood degrees. There was a limit to the state funding for Universal PreK that was put in place by legislatures because it should not just be about school districts...as a state we need to figure out how to support the entire industry of child care programs. Thanks for the post!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Brianna,
ReplyDeleteI hate to sound like a broken record, but...we do need early childhood education for all children to be free! When I say free I know that tax payers will pay for it, but I have no children, will never have children unless I adopt, and I am willing to pay increase taxes for all our children to receive free care, If a little country like Finland can do it why not us? The public schools are paid by our taxes, because we know our children need it. And we know that our children need early childhood education,it has been researched and documented the benefits for children when they enter primary school, and the benefits for the public in their lives. The parents who would be able to work, further their education will all be in a better position to pay their taxes, buy their own food, and take better care of their children. It is a win win situation, for today, and tomorrow. I am passionate about this, and I believe it will take passionate people to push this forward. It is discouraging to realize that so many children will never get a chance to develop more of their cognitive, social-emotional,math, literacy skills because our country would rather spend their money on something else. Families losing their homes, jobs, and their hope because they cannot afford to pay childcare costs. It is a circle with no way out for some, the families that a make to much for help, and not enough to pay.Sorry if I went on and on, my heart is involved. I enjoyed reading your post.
Brianna,
ReplyDeleteYour post was very informative. I always enjoy reading your work! It would be so great if teacher qualifications were enforced nationwide, because it would set the standards for teachers and increase credibility, pay, and benefits. This ties directly into what we've been talking about, so it's cool that you were able to find that through the NIEER website. We have many barriers to get through as an educational system, but we will get through them one a time. Thanks for sharing!
Tara
I really gain some great insight and knowledge from your blog post. I agree that the teacher qualification should be enforced nationwide as well, due to the fact it benefits the educational growth for our children. The challenges that are faced is important as well in finding strategies to overcome the barriers within a successful perspective.
ReplyDelete