Initial-Licensure Programs
Initial-licensure programs are those baccalaureate and masters degree programs that provide first exposure to the field of early childhood and lead to students’ (candidates’) first license in early childhood education.
- Is my program Initial or Advanced? -
A chart detailing the differences between Initial-licensure and Advanced programs.
- Initial Licensure Standards (2001) -
The NAEYC professional preparation standards as published in Preparing Early Childhood Professionals.
- Initial Program Report Template -
Link to the NCATE Web page to download the NAEYC program report template for Initial-licensure programs. Includes the required cover sheet and general directions.
- Rubrics -
Serves as a guide for programs in devising systems to collect and summarize evidence about candidate performance.
NEW! NCATE and NAEYC have determined that programs that lead to an initial licensure in early childhood (regardless of licensure in elementary education or other fields) are, for the purposes of the program report, Initial-level programs.
Research shows that it is training in early childhood specifically that leads to the best outcomes for young children and their families. Although training and experience in other closely related fields, such as elementary education, is helpful, it is not as good as training and experience with children in the birth through age 8 range—those whom early childhood educators serve.
For the purposes of NAEYC program reviews, a higher education masters program that leads to students’ first deep experience with young children, that lays a foundation in early childhood, and that leads to an initial license to teach young children is considered an Initial-level program. Faculty compiling a program report in this type of program would use the form for Initial-level programs and would not need to address the Essential Tools required of Advanced programs. (For unit-level review purposes during the Board of Examiners visit, masters programs may still be considered Advanced.)
Contact ncate@naeyc.org with questions about the level of your program.
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