The Latest: Updates from NAEYC Higher Education Accreditation

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Welcome to "The Latest" (ECE Higher Education Accreditation "news you can use!"), a blog-like site of ongoing announcements posted by the NAEYC Higher Ed Team to help our higher education accreditation community stay informed of upcoming events, the most recent happenings, and information of interest impacting our work in ECE higher ed and accreditation. Check in anytime, scroll through, and catch up on "the latest!" For questions or for more information, reach out to [email protected]

(Note: "Semi-permanent" posts will be displayed at the top of the page and indicated by a thumbtack icon. Other posts will show the date posted just below the post title.)

Online Resource Library Transition

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New Online Resource Library Now Available! We’re pleased to announce the launch of our new easier-to-navigate hub for all accreditation guidance documents, templates, on-demand trainings, and more! Current primary and secondary program contacts, peer reviewers, and Commissioners received an email in early November containing access instructions.

For the next few months, we will keep both the new resource library in Airtable and the previous one in Basecamp accessible simultaneously, with the intent to eventually sunset the Basecamp version for program contacts (peer reviewers and Commissioners will continue to utilize Basecamp in their review work). However, any new resources created from this point will only be added to the new library.

New Resource Library link to bookmark: Higher Education Accreditation Resource Library

Password: see email sent to program primary and secondary contacts, peer reviewers, and Commissioners in early November, or contact NAEYC staff at [email protected].

Note: The Airtable resource library link and password can be shared with your accreditation team at your institution, but please do not share your Basecamp login with others.

Accreditation Policy Updates: Standards Transition Deadlines

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If your program is preparing a Response-to-Conditions report (Year 1, 2, or 3) for conditions cited under the 2010 standards, please remember that beginning in Spring 2025, aligning key assessments to the 2020 Professional Standards and Competencies, submitting six key assessments (for key assessment conditions), and submitting an updated learning opportunities chart (for programs that have key assessment alignment conditions) will be required.

Please reach out to staff at [email protected] with any questions about what may be required and/or advisable for your program.

In addition, all Year 4 Interim Reports are now required to align learning opportunities and key assessments with one of the 2020 Professional Standards and Competencies (it is OK if candidate performance data were collected from versions of assessments previously aligned with the 2010 standards).

Programs anticipating challenges submitting reports by their scheduled deadline may submit an extension request form in accordance with the extension policies found on pages 41-44 of the Accreditation Handbook.

For more information, see the September 2024 newsletter.

Share the new ECE field Survey with your Students and Colleagues working in ECE

Posted Jan. 14, 2025

NAEYC has released its latest ECE field survey seeking participation from early childhood educators. NAEYC, its affiliates and other state and national ECE partners use the on-the-ground data collected from these surveys to make the case for policies and investments that advance high quality ECE (including professional preparation programs). Please consider sharing this survey with your students and colleagues in your local ECE communities. The survey is open through January 20.

NAEYC's Young Children (YC) Higher Ed Column & Opportunity to Contribute

Posted Jan. 14, 2025

Did you know that NAEYC has a column focused on ECE higher ed. in YC? The column, Innovations in Higher Education, was first published in the Winter 23 edition of YC thanks to co-editors Elisa Huss-Hage and Anthony Broughton. You can get an intro to the column here and then check out the Winter 23, Summer 24, and the latest Winter 25 columns. We would also love to elevate YOUR higher ed voice and interests. Consider contributing to the column as an author and/or share the content you want to hear about in future columns by completing this short survey.

New Report: Credit Where Credit is Due - Expanding Credit for Prior Learning in ECE Higher Education Programs

Posted Jan. 7, 2025

NAEYC and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) are partnering on a series of resources to support ECE higher education programs and policymakers in implementing and expanding ECE college credit for recognizing competencies gained from prior learning and professional experiences. This first report in the series highlights important elements of credit for prior learning (CPL) and explores the CPL landscape in ECE higher education programs. You can also access a recording of a November webinar that previewed the report and features institutions of higher education that are offering CPL in their ECE preparation programs.

Consider Presenting at the 2025 NAEYC Annual Conference in Orlando, FL!

Posted Dec. 17, 2024

The Call for Proposals for the 2025 Annual Conference is now open! Submission Deadline: January 30, 2025

We love having higher ed colleagues at the Annual Conference! We hope you will consider sharing your research, content expertise, and experience at the world’s largest gathering of early childhood professionals!

NAEYC strives to incorporate a diverse array of presenters and perspectives. We welcome presenters of different nationalities and varying levels of experience representing both individual experts and those representing institutions and organizations.

Learn more about the conference proposal process and submit your proposal here.

Recording Now Available for “Stepping Up & Stepping Up: Investing in Competencies, Credentials and Compensation”

Posted Dec. 13, 2024

On December 10, NAEYC and TEACH National Center hosted a webinar featuring ECE students, instructors and the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, to learn more about how educators and instructors see the importance and impact of competencies earned on a clear pathway of credentials, degrees, and compensation. Panelists included Hosea Bates, Michael Marzette, and Toshiba Adams from Milwaukee Area Technical College in Wisconsin, Alora Zargo and Kim Freeman from Windham Regional Career Center in Vermont, and Jenna Knight from the Center for the Study on Child Care Employment. Watch the recording here!

Interested in Free Registration for the 2025 NAEYC Annual Conference in Orlando? Apply to be an Annual Conference Proposal Reviewer!

Posted Dec. 13, 2024

NAEYC is looking for members to lend their expertise by reviewing proposal submissions for the 2025 NAEYC Annual Conference. Apply to be a part of this important process that helps ensure high-quality content at the Annual Conference. Proposal reviewers will also receive complimentary registration to the 2025 Annual Conference. Apply today!

Credit Where Credit is Due: Expanding Credit for Prior Learning in ECE Higher Education Webinar Recording Now Available

Posted Dec. 11, 2024

NAEYC and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) are partnering on a series of reports and webinars to support ECE higher education programs and policymakers in implementing and expanding ECE credit for prior learning opportunities. Click here to access a recording of the first webinar. The first report is expected in late December.

Register for our Winter 2025: ECE Higher Education Accreditation Commission- Ask Me Anything Session on Jan. 30, 2025

Posted Dec. 5, 2024

Our next Higher Education Accreditation Commission Ask Me Anything Session (Winter 2025) will be offered on Thurs. Jan. 30 from 2:00-3:30 PM EST. This is designed for you to be able to speak directly to Commissioners and staff to ask any question about any part of the accreditation process! Register here and you can also ask questions in advance. We hope to see you there!

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