| Program Approval Update Submitted by Barbara Nilsen 1/29/02 |
| ACCESS AND NAEYC Issue the following statement: ACCESS and NAEYC have recently received funding from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund to conduct a feasibility study of the options that would best support a respected, responsive, stable evaluation system of early childhood associate degree programs. The first meeting of the Associate Degree National Recognition Study Group was held on January 18 and 19, 2002. The group identified essential components of such a system (e.g. governance, administrative, legal and economic features. An invitational meeting in March is planned for national stakeholders to request their expertise and suggestions. The next meeting of the Study Group is schedule in May for review of the options analysis, informed by background research and discussion with relevant experts and stakeholders. Recommendations will be written for presentation to the respective ACCESS and NAEYC Governing Boards regarding the future direction of this project. The outcomes of this study are expected to provide the ACCESS and NAEYC Governing Boards information to make informed decisions about the structure and procedures that would best support a nationally recognized evaluation system of professional preparation at the associate degree level. The importance of such a system is recognized in the career development pathway for early childhood education and for its ultimate positive impact for children and their families. Barbara Nilsen, ACCESS Program Approval Chair Mary Duru, NAEYC Staff Associate |