Twenty-fifth International Conference on Learning

Abstract

Recent data reveals a crisis in early childhood education in the United States. The workforce who is entrusted with our most vulnerable population receive the lowest salaries and are hired with the lowest levels of education. The dilemma? Many early childhood teachers earn salaries below the poverty level and can’t afford to pursue a college education, much less, obtain the critical competencies required to care for infants and toddlers. Across the US, states have responded to a recent initiative based on research from the Early Childhood Education Workforce Development and policy development from professional organizations and federal and state governments to address the challenges of the early childhood workforce. This paper compares different states’ responses, the current status and progress, and explores viable options for Policy to Practice. Common practices related include encouraging professional development, advancing levels of education through tuition reimbursement or scholarship, tax credits, and building career pathways. Unique programs offering incentives for profit and non-profit agencies applying data-driven measures are explored.