5/16/2011. Session Objectives: Gate Opener Grant Building Quality: Educational Leadership in a Changing World.

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1 Yes, You Can Afford to Go to College Building Quality: Educational Leadership in a Changing World May 24, 2011 Presenters: Michele Black, PA Key and Laurie Litz, Pennsylvania Child Care Association Session Objectives: Discuss barriers to furthering education Share success stories Explore funding sources Review Career Lattice and Teacher Quality Documents Planning next steps/creating professional development plan Gate Opener Grant The Gate Opener initiative is a joint project of the Office of Child Development & Early Learning (OCDEL) in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Key and the Grable Foundation, the Heinz Endowments and the William Penn Foundation. The grants address barriers that early learning and school-age practitioners face returning to a 4-year college/university. Please direct any questions to Michele Black at micbla@berksiu.org. i Gate Opener Survey Results - What We Know So Far 1

2 Small Group Activity (Utilizing Gate Opener Barriers) Prioritize the barriers on the Powerpoint choose top three (3) Share out results with whole group Share personal stories of successes in overcoming these barriers Funding Sources Paying for full cost of tuition College Tuition Reimbursement Voucher Guidelines Document: T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Information: Go to or for more information, call TEACH ( ) Keystone STARS Merit Award: go to Early Childhood Programs, go to Forms and Tools, select program type AEYC Scholarships: go to affiliate chapters Pennsylvania Child Care Association T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood PENNSYLVANIA 2

3 What is T.E.A.C.H.? Teacher Education And Compensation Helps Early Childhood PENNSYLVANIA is a unique scholarship opportunity for child care professionals to complete course work in early childhood education and increase their compensation. T.E.A.C.H. at a Glance Began: January 1998 Lead Agency: Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) Funding Sources: TANF, CCDF, State & Private dollars FY Budget: $6.5 million + Scholarship options: CDA Credential, CDA Assessment, Associate s, Bachelor s & Certification in Early Childhood Education, PA Director Credential, School Age Professional Credential & Youth Development Certificate/Credentials More than 7,100 scholarships awarded throughout PA, 2,600 sponsors & 1,800 graduates Goals Increased Education Increased Compensation Reduced Turnover 3

4 Principles Partnerships Diversity Existing Systems Collaboration Who benefits from T.E.A.C.H.? Child care professionals Teaching staff are able to increase their knowledge and compensation, which in turn provides an increase in professional status and job satisfaction. Child care programs Centers have staff who are more knowledgeable about good early childhood practices. Participating center directors have reported reduced staff turnover, which has helped to improve their program quality and marketability. Children They are able to bond with a provider who has made a commitment to the field, who specializes in early childhood education, and who is sensitive to the needs of the very young. Outcomes Increased Education 12 credits completed after one scholarship contract, 25 credits completed after two scholarship contracts, 38 credits completed after three scholarship contracts, 51 credits completed after four scholarship contracts, 63 credits completed after five scholarship contracts. Increased Compensation 11% increase in earnings after one contract, 20% increase in earnings after two contracts, 27% increase in earnings after three contracts, 34% increase in earnings after four contracts, 44% increase in earnings after five contracts. Reduced Turnover 11% turnover after one scholarship contract, 7% turnover after two scholarship contracts, 6% turnover after three scholarship contracts, 4% turnover after four scholarship contracts, 5% turnover after five scholarship contracts. (Outcomes are reflective of data collected for Associate Degree center based staff as of June 30, 2010.) 4

5 Scholarship Components Scholarship Education Compensation Commitment Scholarship Requirements Recipient Agrees to: Successfully complete 9-15 semester hours each scholarship year toward an approved degree or credential in Early Childhood Education, Pay a portion of the tuition and books each semester, Remain at sponsoring center (or continue to operate family child care home) for a commitment period. Center Agrees to: Sponsor employee by contributing the percentages of costs, Give paid release time each week to recipient, Award either a bonus or raise to recipient upon successful completion of the scholarship year. PACCA Agrees to: Provide counseling & administrative support for all partners, Pay a percentage of tuition and other expenses, Maintain accurate financial and program records to ensure the integrity of the program. AA & CDA Center Model Center Model T.E.A.C.H. Recipient Center Tuition 80% 10% 10% Books 75% 25% Travel $125 Release Time 50-75% 25-50% Compensation* Dependent upon model selected Commitment $0 OR $300 bonus One additional year of employment 4% raise or $600 bonus OR $300 bonus 5

6 BA Center Model Center Model T.E.A.C.H. Recipient Center Tuition 80% 10% 10% Books 75% 25% Travel $125 Release Time 75% 25% Compensation Commitment One additional year of employment, plus one additional year in the field 4% raise or $600 bonus Who is eligible to participate? Any child care professional that is currently employed at a DPW certified child care center or as a registered family provider, (Keystone STAR 1 or above) working approximately 30 hours or more per week, makes less than $19 per hour, is interested in pursuing a T.E.A.C.H. approved degree or credential in Early Childhood Education or equivalent, is committed to remaining in the Early Childhood Education field. *BA applicants must have already earned an Associate s degree in ECE or have at least 55 transferable credits toward a Bachelor s degree in ECE, be eligible for admission as an in state student and have worked in child care in PA for at least one year. DC applicants must also meet PA Key requirements for Director Credential eligibility.) Alvernia University Arcadia University Participating Colleges Bucks County Community College Bloomsburg University of PA Butler County Community College California University of PA Carlow University Chestnut Hill College Clarion University of PA Community College of Allegheny County Community College of Beaver County Community College of Philadelphia Delaware County Community College Eastern University East Stroudsburg University of PA Esperanza College of Eastern University Edinboro University of PA Gannon University Gratz College Harcum College Harrisburg Area Community College Holy Family University Indiana University of PA Keystone College King s College Lackawanna College Lehigh Carbon Community College Lock Haven University of PA Luzerne County Community College Manor College McCann School of Business & Technology Mercyhurst College North East Messiah College Montgomery County Community College Mount Aloysius College Neumann University Northampton Community College Penn State Dubois Penn State Shenango Penn State University Park Penn State York Pennsylvania College of Technology Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Point Park University Reading Area Community College Shippensburg University of PA Slippery Rock University of PA University of Pittsburgh West Chester University of PA Westmoreland County Community College 6

7 Important Deadlines! Admissions Check college/university websites Apply early! T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships Fall 2011 Friday, July 8 th Spring 2012 Early November Financial Aid After January 1, 2011 By May 1, 2011 PA Keys Voucher Program Earlier is better! Before the last day of class My Action Plan Get more information on the following: 1. by: 2. by: 3. by: Contact the following college(s): 1. by: 2. by: 3. by: Apply for the following type(s) of financial aid/scholarships: 1. by: 2. by: 3. by: Resources PACCA s Website Applications & Brochures FAQ s What s New & Application Deadlines Webinars New Recipients & Potential Students Directors Information Manuals Recipient Manual Director Manual Newsletters & Other Updates Posted on website, issued electronically Hard copy update provided each semester Counselors Available by or phone Conference calls with director, staff & Counselor 7

8 Additional Questions Contact PACCA Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) 2300 Vartan Way, Suite 270 Harrisburg, PA (877) 51-TEACH Stacey Moyer, T.E.A.C.H. Coordinator x124 Laurie Litz, VP Workforce Development x115 Or for more information Ask to speak to a T.E.A.C.H. Counselor. Nikki Brown x121 nikki@pacca.org Kareem Cotton x109 kareem.cotton@pacca.org Jennifer Engle x123 jengle@pacca.org Teresa Hanna x122 teresa@pacca.org Barbara Neverman x112 barbara.neverman@pacca.org Determining Your Educational Goals Copy and paste into your browser to obtain the following resources: 1. PA Early Learning Keys to Quality Career Lattice: 2. Early Childhood Education Teacher Quality: Recognizing High Quality Core Content in Pennsylvania uality.pdf 3. Career Lattice Self-Learning Module: 8

9 Next Steps Work with program administrators and your Regional Key to: 1. Determine career lattice level 2. Determine ECE core content (or elem. education content if SACC only program) to complete ECE Calculation Tool 3. Develop your Educational Plan in conjunction with your PDR goals Complete Educational Resource List 1. PA Early Learning Keys to Quality Career Lattice: 2. Early Childhood Education Teacher Quality: Recognizing High Quality Core Content in Pennsylvania 3. Career Lattice Self-Learning Module: 4. Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) call TEACH ( ) for TEACH Scholarship information. 5. PA Key Website locate your Regional Key on the home page 9