D01.02_Attachment_C_-_Candidacy_Requirements_for_Educational_Qualifications.pdf

ATTACHMENT C

CANDIDACY REQUIREMENTS FOR EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS OF PROGRAM

ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHING STAFF

*All links and tables are available at: http://oldweb.naeyc.org/

Table 1. Candidacy Requirements for Educational Qualifications of Program Administrators and Teaching Staff

Program Administrator

Must have at least a baccalaureate degree with

• at least 9 credit-bearing hours of specialized college-level course work in administration, leadership, and/or management, and

• at least 24 credit-bearing hours of specialized college-level course work that addresses child development and learning from birth through kindergarten in early childhood education, child development, elementary education or early childhood special education

OR

Documents meeting an appropriate combination of relevant education and work experiences as outlined in Table 2

OR

Documents that a plan is in place to meet these qualifications within 5 years.

Teachers

If the criteria related to qualifications of teaching staff (teachers and assistant teachers/teaching assistants) are not met, the program must describe how it is ensuring the provision of early childhood expertise to guide curriculum and learning, by providing a detailed professional development plan.

In addition, 75% of the teachers must meet one of the following:

• Have a minimum of CDA or equivalent

• Be working on an Associate's or higher degree in early childhood education, child development/family studies, early childhood special education, or elementary education with a concentration in early childhood education or the equivalent

• Have a degree (Associate's or higher) outside of the early childhood field and 3 or more years work experience in an NAEYC-accredited program http://oldweb.naeyc.org/accreditation/table1.asp#t2

• Have a degree (Associate's or higher) outside of the early childhood field with 3 or more years work experience in non-accredited program, and at least 30 contact hours of relevant training during that past 3 years

Assistant Teachers/Aides

If the criteria related to qualifications of teaching staff (teachers and assistant teachers/teaching assistants) are not met, the program must describe how it is ensuring the provision of early childhood expertise to guide curriculum and learning, by providing a detailed professional development plan.

In addition, 50% of all assistant teachers and/or teaching assistants must have or be working on a CDA or equivalent or an Associate's or higher degree in ECE/CD, or the equivalent

The candidacy requirements will apply to programs seeking NAEYC Accreditation or reaccreditation. They will not be used in the Annual Reporting process or in verification visits of currently-accredited programs, but they will be used in the Annual Reporting process and in verification visits of programs accredited (or reaccredited) after September 16, 2006.

Table 2. Alternative Pathways to Achieve Educational Qualifications of a Program Administrator Individuals who can provide documentation of having achieved a combination of formal education, experience and relevant training equaling at least 100 points by the values assigned below are considered to meet the qualifications identified in the NAEYC Accreditation Criteria.

Formal Education Experience Relevant Training/Credentials

Must be able to document educational experiences equaling a minimum of 50 points and a maximum of 70 points from this column

Must be able to document work experiences equaling a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 50 points from this column

Must be able to document a minimum of 5 points and a maximum of 35 points from this column

Baccalaureate degree or higher in early childhood education, child development & family studies, early childhood special education, or elementary education that encompasses development and learning of children birth through kindergarten; but lacking 9 credit hours in

At least 5 years experience as a program administrator that includes leading a program through and maintaining NAEYC Accreditation for at least 2 years

College credits or training hours must be related to management knowledge/skills and early childhood knowledge/skills

1 college credit = 4 points

4 contact hours of training within past 5 years = 1 point leadership, management and/or administration

State director credential approved by NAEYC = 35 pts

NAEYC - Approved State Director/Administrator Credentials

Baccalaureate degree or higher in educational leadership, management or a related field (human services administration, business administration, organizational development, public administration) but lacking 24 credit hours that encompass development and learning of children birth through kindergarten

At least 3 years experience as a program administrator that includes successfully leading the program through the NAEYC Accreditation process (at least 12 months prior to visit)

At least three years experience as a program administrator in a NAEYC-accredited program during which accreditation has been consistently maintained.

(Updated April 2006)

Baccalaureate degree or higher in ECE-related field (social work, psychology) without 24 credit hours that encompass development and learning of children birth through kindergarten and without 9 credit hours in leadership, management, and/or administration

At least 5 years of experience as a program administrator in a program not accredited by NAEYC

Associate degree in ECE/CD 55 At least 3 years of experience as a program administrator in a program not accredited by NAEYC http://oldweb.naeyc.org/accreditation/academy/state_director_credentials.asp