Initially, when I read the course description on Dynamics of Early Childhood Policies and Systems, I realized that I was stepping into an area of the unknown. I do not have a background in policy and up to this point, I have not had any classes that targeted this aspect of early childhood education. Before this class I had a view that policies was interconnected with politics on the state, local and federal level. I am reminded of editorials, union duels with state and local officials and being lost under all the jargon put in documents and publications.
As I began to read the assigned readings and other resources listed in this module, (googling every so often a term unknown) I realized that the policy impacts the educational setting in which I teach and the educational community. Many of the articles clarified topics that I knew just from being in the field of education, the structure of the systems, the goverance and early childhood systems, the early learning standards and data collection (Kagan & Kauerz, 2012). I learned about other topics that I have not had exposure to such as Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (Kagan & Kaurez, 2012) and BUILD's initiative. As the readings continued, I found myself searching on my own state department of education's website and my school system's site for information on different topics targeted in this module. Based upon this research I have targeted three goals to help me become more effective as an educator.
The first goal is to become more acquainted with the federal policy especially the new revision of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the revision of the Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA). I am interested in how the federal policies impact us in the state and local levels. The second goal is to learn more about my own state system. I have lived in Maryland for fifteen years but really lack the knowledge of the early childhood system. Understanding both these areas will help me understand how decision made in federal and state policies impact the children and families. The third goal, I want to target is how to impact change in specific policies within my school district especially in the areas of bilingual learners and equity accessibility for educational programming. I am more than thrilled that this is slowly changing within my district but believe it still needs a gentle push especially in the area of high ability learners and English Language Learners. Promoting equity to materials and resources that were only allowed for a specific populations impacts all learners.
I look forward to delving into these topics, learning how to navigate the federal and state systems and targeting change for all learners by promoting equal access for all students.
References:
Build Initiative (2013). Early Childhood system buildling. Retrieved from http://www.buildintitiative.org/The issues/
SystemsBuilding.aspx
Kagan, S. L., & Kauerz, K. (Eds. ). (2012). Early childhood systems: Transforming early learning. New York, N.Y.: Teachers College Press.
Maryland State Department of Education. (2015) Early Childhood Education. Retrieved from:
http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/msde/divisions/child_care/
Prince Georges County Public Schools.(2015) Early Childhood Programs. Retrieved from: http://www1.pgcps.org/earlychildhood/
As I began to read the assigned readings and other resources listed in this module, (googling every so often a term unknown) I realized that the policy impacts the educational setting in which I teach and the educational community. Many of the articles clarified topics that I knew just from being in the field of education, the structure of the systems, the goverance and early childhood systems, the early learning standards and data collection (Kagan & Kauerz, 2012). I learned about other topics that I have not had exposure to such as Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (Kagan & Kaurez, 2012) and BUILD's initiative. As the readings continued, I found myself searching on my own state department of education's website and my school system's site for information on different topics targeted in this module. Based upon this research I have targeted three goals to help me become more effective as an educator.
The first goal is to become more acquainted with the federal policy especially the new revision of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the revision of the Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA). I am interested in how the federal policies impact us in the state and local levels. The second goal is to learn more about my own state system. I have lived in Maryland for fifteen years but really lack the knowledge of the early childhood system. Understanding both these areas will help me understand how decision made in federal and state policies impact the children and families. The third goal, I want to target is how to impact change in specific policies within my school district especially in the areas of bilingual learners and equity accessibility for educational programming. I am more than thrilled that this is slowly changing within my district but believe it still needs a gentle push especially in the area of high ability learners and English Language Learners. Promoting equity to materials and resources that were only allowed for a specific populations impacts all learners.
I look forward to delving into these topics, learning how to navigate the federal and state systems and targeting change for all learners by promoting equal access for all students.
References:
Build Initiative (2013). Early Childhood system buildling. Retrieved from http://www.buildintitiative.org/The issues/
SystemsBuilding.aspx
Kagan, S. L., & Kauerz, K. (Eds. ). (2012). Early childhood systems: Transforming early learning. New York, N.Y.: Teachers College Press.
Maryland State Department of Education. (2015) Early Childhood Education. Retrieved from:
http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/msde/divisions/child_care/
Prince Georges County Public Schools.(2015) Early Childhood Programs. Retrieved from: http://www1.pgcps.org/earlychildhood/