November 16, 2010
Media Contact: Kristina Gawrgy Campbell, 202-250-8857 office, 202-427-4734 mobile, kcampbell@naeyc.org
NAEYC supports NCATE report calling for clinical practice,
urges experience in all early learning settings
(WASHINGTON) – The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has revised its Standards for Programs that Prepare Early Childhood Professionals, which strengthen clinical field experiences for teachers working with children birth through age 8. These revisions support the emphasis of a new panel report from our partner organization, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
The NCATE panel report, Transforming Teacher Education through Clinical Practice: A National Strategy to Prepare Effective Teachers, released today, recommends sweeping changes intended to “revamp programs” and prioritize clinical partnerships between teacher education programs and school districts.
Early childhood education is unique in its reliance upon a diversity of settings to employ early childhood professionals and support early learning goals. It is critical that early childhood teacher candidates have clinical experiences that support the application of specialized early childhood development across these professional roles and settings. NAEYC’s teacher preparation standards require that early childhood teacher education programs include field practice in at least two out of three early childhood age groups (0-3, 3-5, or 5-8 years old) and at least two out of three early learning settings (schools, Head Start, and child care).
NAEYC supports the Transforming Teacher Education through Clinical Practice report and recommends expanding clinical partnerships with school districts to include partnerships with other early learning settings, including Head Start and child care, to promote the development and learning of all young children.
Founded in 1926, the National Association for the Education of Young Children is the largest and most influential advocate for high-quality early care and education in the United States.
