About this session

Saturday, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Scaleable PD for the ECE workforce: Novel approaches within systems

This paper symposium is focused on novel professional development (PD) approaches within existing ECE systems (i.e., registry, state system, state licensure) to support the workforce in ways that advance practice and thus cultivate children’s learning and development.

The first two papers examine how online courses can support new knowledge. Paper 1 finds that a new self-paced online course focused on one state’s newly adopted coaching competencies improves ECE coaches’ knowledge, and that the course is engaging and empowering. Paper 2 examines how teachers’ dispositions, knowledge, and skills (DKSs) change as a result of participation in a course focused on creating culturally responsive ECE programs (intervention). Findings indicate growth in teacher knowledge across all groups, yet, teachers who received coaching demonstrated greater gains in ethnic-racial salience.

The second set of papers focus on programs offering alternative licensure/certification. Paper 3 reports on changes in teacher-reported compensation, retention, and classroom outcomes within an Alternative Licensure Program that incorporates individualized coaching, didactic instruction, and group reflection. Paper 4 investigates a language and literacy certification for programs in the state’s QRIS that included a year of PD, inclusive of coaching. Preschool classrooms in certified centers often had higher ELLCO scores than classrooms in comparison centers; associations were similar for infant-toddler classrooms.

Components of these PD approaches (e.g., coaching, specialized curriculum, online course) are associated with knowledge gains, workforce outcomes, and children’s development. Attention to PD opportunities that leverage existing ECE systems are crucial for building an effective early childhood workforce to support children and families.

Paper #1
Title	Building a Foundation in Coaching: Developing Effective Skills and Practices Through a New Online Course
Presenting author	Hillary Ross Lewis, Ph.D., Oregon State University, United States

Paper #2
Title	RCT of Online Creating Culturally Responsive Course for Early Childhood Educators With and Without Coaching
Presenting author	Erin Tebben, PhD, The Ohio State University, United States

Paper #3
Title	Building a Stronger Early Childhood Workforce: Evaluating Changes in Compensation, Retention, and Classroom Outcomes
Presenting author	Joanna Skourletos, M.Ed., University of Illinois Chicago, United States

Paper #4
Title	Language and Literacy Coaching Innovation: Comprehensive Infant-Toddler and Preschool Center-Level Focused Certification with Coaching
Presenting author	Sandra L. Soliday Hong, Ph.D., FPG Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States

View all paper details

Session chairs
Bridget E. Hatfield, Ph.D., Oregon State University, United States; Dr. Sarah Naomi Lang, Ph.D., , United States

⇦ Back to schedule