NC Institute for Child Development Professionals
Advancing the Education of the Workforce
August 15, 2015 2- 3:15 PM
Co-Chairs - Anna Mercer-McLean & Marta Koseling
Notes – Debra Torrence
Work Group Member Participants
-Lorie Barnes, NC-aeyc
-Susan Catapano, UNC-W
-Consuellis Hawkins-Crudup, East Coast Migrant Head Start
-Gail Henson, Catawba County Schools
-Kim Ipock, Excel Learning CentersAllison Landy, NC Partnership for Children
-Sarah Lewis, DCDEE Workforce Division
-Edith Locke, Child Care Services Association, T.E.A.C.H. – North Carolina
-Harjit Rai, Knowledge Universe
-Dawn Rogers, Parent & Stepping Stones Academy
Agenda
- Welcome
- Introductions
- Overview of NCICDP
- Overview of work group focus and contributions
- Discussion questions
- August 12 IOM Webinar Reminder
Notes
The work group heard an overview of the outline for the IOM report. They engaged in a discussion about who needs to know and support the report’s recommendation for higher levels of early childhood (EC) teacher education.
Members shared insight from their roles.
-Edith shared that T.E.A.C.H.-NC numbers have been declining over the past three years. A total of 400 teachers on T.E.A.C.H. in the past year decided not continue their education. There are no levers or incentives after a teacher earns what their employer or the state regulations requires of them. There are, however, a large percentage on T.E.A.C.H. who start with their credential and work their way up.
-Susan shared that K-12 teachers has taken a big hit in terms of policies eliminating teacher tenure, removing class size caps and incentives to continue education. The UNCW EC masters degree program, which is supported by T.E.A.C.H., has 106 participants in it.
-Harjit shared that they are working to help their directors move beyond high star levels to support the whole teacher. In the 7 states where she works, NC’s QRIS is seen as the best and states have pulled pieces from it.
-Sarah noted that from the calls she takes at DCDEE the workforce doesn’t understand what they need or where to get it – including early educators with varying levels of education.
-Lorie shared that NCaeyc is trying to work more with potential EC teachers earlier, in high school and making the organization relevant to K-3 teachers and degree program accreditation relevant, known and beneficial as well as sustainable in NC. She noted capacity of all our organizations is limited.
-Kim shared that she works with 14 locations, 40 teachers supporting 2000 children in ENC. Keeping educated teachers without incentives when they are finished is challenging. The waiting list for WAGE$ led to the is dying here. As a company they go beyond 5 stars. She shared that they struggle to fill the gap from the loss of employees who get higher ed leave to work with partnerships and are not working with children so trying to grow professionals from within.
-Allison shared that the redesign of the QRIS opens up some opportunities and indicators in the core rating but could be harder for programs to achieve higher stars. And that the need for higher quality and teacher education may be influenced by why the parent is using child care.
-Dawn shared that as a parent of young child, and human resource professional who moved into running a center that finding a person with a degree and experience and keeping them is a challenge. We need to educate people in the progression and increase the compensation, benefits and incentives.
Questions raised that will need to be answered.
-Will it cost to do this and can parents afford it?
-Who are the audiences that need to know about and support the IOM report?
-How can we create more awareness among owners and companies that continuing ECE is not just about reaching the star goals for their schools but about the professional development of each individual teacher and how they impact the children they serve?
-How can we advocate to include an education component to the new rating scales so that education level of teachers is an integral part of the process of getting stars?
Also refer to chat box comments below.
Audiences the work group noted need to learn about and support the IOM report recommendations include teachers, directors, employers, legislators, parents, businesses, Child Care Commission.
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Action Steps
- Anna will send work group members the two questions not addressed today and the ppt slide deck.
- September meeting date will be determined.
- October SWOT questions will be developed after a review of Katura’s draft SWOT survey.
- October 6 meeting date will be shared.
Next Meeting Dates and Times
-September 9 or September 24 from 2 – 4 PM via Gotomeeting
-October 6 from 10 – 12:30 PM at CCSA in Chapel Hill
Resources Needed –
- DCDEE data on workforce education trends – Sarah Lewis
- PBIS data on workforce education trends
- QRIS revision frame – Sarah Lewis
- Community College early childhood college education data – from Lisa Eads
AUGUST 15, 2015 WORK GROUP MEETING - CHAT BOX COMMENTS
Welcome! We will get started shortly.
Lewis, Sarah (to Organizers):
Hi, no webcam for me today, I have to get the correct plug in.
Gail Henson (to Organizers):
Is the powerpoint to be moving past the Overview slide...just checking..thanks
Rai, Harjit (to Organizers):
Is the powerpoint screen on the current slide?
Gail Henson (to All):
I think we can bring professionalism to the profession and to let people know the value of early years based upon research.
Gail Henson (to All):
I like the concept of true education focused on the skills needed to support children. I agree that the college courses build the foundation to be supportive of working with young children.
To All:
CAn you see the current slide, Harjit?
Gail Henson (to All):
I am not hearing anyone
Allison (to All):
Gail - did you hear me when I spoke?
Gail Henson (to All):
Yes
Gail Henson (to All):
We have to be cognizant about people being fearful this will cost more for quality care
Rai, Harjit (to Organizers):
yes thank you
Gail Henson (to Organizers):
I can be available after the first or week of October and Oct. 6 works well.and hope that it works out that I can attend. Will the webinar tomorrow be recorded?
Gail Henson (to All):
Our audience includes the legislature and the general public including the parents we are serving.
Gail Henson (to All):
I do have 2 TA's heading back to the 4 year college to complete their B-K and have sent them to TEACH for support.
Rai, Harjit (to All):
How can we create more awareness among owners and companies that contunuing ECE is not just about reaching the star goals for their schools but about the professional development of each individual teacher and how they impact the children they serve
Rai, Harjit (to Organizers):
Debra, I'm going to have to jump off here in a few. Next meeing is starting soon.
Lewis, Sarah (to All):
Child Care Commission, Law Makers
Lewis, Sarah (to All):
The parents look at the price first.
Rai, Harjit (PRIVATE):
How can we advocate to include an education component to the new rating scales so that education level of teachers is an intergral part of the process of getting stars?
Lewis, Sarah (to All):
Thanks!
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