The Professional Development component group works to support the ECI system results by identifying a professional development system, any existing gaps in professional development and its delivery and determining how to integrate the system.
Group Responsibilities:
To determine the professional development system that is needed for the Early Care, Health and Education system in order to support the ECI Strategic Plan.
To promote the integration of a professional development system with current initiatives that support the delivery of quality services to children and their families. The component workgroup advises the system in areas such as the Early Learning Standards and Quality Rating System.
To advise ECI regarding a statewide infrastructure that systematically supports quality professional development.
Professional Standards will specify qualifications that address levels and content of education as well as ongoing development.
Career Pathways will be clearly defined through easily recognizable pathways that support the continuous professional development progress of individuals and will be linked to appropriate compensation.
Articulation – Early Childhood professionals will be able to move seamlessly through and across undergraduate and graduate degree programs, ideally without a loss of credits. Effective articulation will assist in creating career pathways and building capacity to meet required professional standards.
Data will be collected, shared and aligned across sectors. Data collected will be used to inform systems planning, evaluation, quality assurance and accountability.
Priority Areas will address the four principles of: integration; quality assurance; diversity, inclusion and access; and compensation parity.
Four Leadership Teams
Early Learning: All children should have access to early care and education opportunities in nurturing environments where they can learn what they need to succeed in school and life.
Family Support: All families should have economic and parenting supports to ensure all children have nurturing and stable relationships with caring adults.
Health, Mental Health and Nutrition: All children need comprehensive health services that address vision, hearing, nutrition, behavioral and oral health as well as medical health needs.
Early Learning: All children should have access to early care and education opportunities in nurturing environments where they can learn what they need to succeed in school and life.