Early Childhood & Human Development Undergraduate Program Educational Pathways 2008-09 Providing the Keys that unlock the gates to quality in Early Childhood, Parent & Family Life Education Rio Salado Colle ge 2323 W. 14 th Street, Tempe, Arizona 85281
Early Childhood & Human Development Undergraduate Program RIO SALADO COLLEGE: WHO WE ARE Rio Salado is proof that new models of higher education can successfully meet the needs of adult students who are not adequately served by traditional learning formats. Rio Salado serves busy adults with careers and families who require flexible and convenient learning formats in order to earn their degrees. Known as "the college without walls," Rio Salado has never built a traditional campus. Rather, from its Tempe, Arizona administrative headquarters, Rio Salado utilizes technology and forges partnerships to deliver educational opportunities to diverse populations throughout Maricopa County and around the world. The Rio Mission Rio Salado's mission is to astonish its customers, which include students and community partners. This is accomplished through an emphasis upon collaborative partnerships, accelerated formats and distance learning, particularly elearning. Rio Salado College transforms the learning experience through: Choice, Access, Flexibility, Customized, High Quality Learning Design, Personalized Service and Organizational Responsiveness. PURPOSES: Serving our local, national and international communities through elearning and collaborative partnerships, we provide: General education and courses for university transfer; including certificates of completion and associate degrees Applied programs that are aligned with workforce needs in business, industry and government Comprehensive student services Continuing education and lifetime learning opportunities CORE VALUES: Through living our values, Rio Salado College creates a climate of high expectations for the success of our current and future students, customers and employees. We are unalterably committed to demonstrating and being accountable for the following core organizational values: Sustainability Customer Focus Relentless Improvement Inclusiveness Professionalism Teamwork Page 1
CORE ORGANIZATIONAL PRACTICES & GOALS: In the context of our core values, and sustained by disciplined people, thought and action, our work is focused on the following core organizational practices: Learning Innovating Partnering Early Childhood & Human Development Undergraduate Program The Vision of the Rio Salado Early Childhood & Human Development (ECE/HD) Program is to be the premier early childhood undergraduate and professional development community college program in Maricopa County. Our program Mission is to provide high quality educational services that are inclusive, student & community focused, comprehensive, responsive and directed at increasing the professionalism of the early childhood and human development field. Utilizing the core values of our college as our programmatic foundation, in alignment with our college s strategic plan Rio2012, our program Core Practices can be measured by Rio Salado College Core Values ECE/HD Core Practices Customer Focus Relentless Improvement Inclusiveness The way Services are Developed & Delivered. The way Learning, Thinking and Behavior is Transformed through the acquisition of knowledge and skills, observation, research, study, and reflection. The way Invention and Insight is Developed, leading to the creation of social and economic value; recognizing it involves talent, investment, risk taking, courage, and challenging the limits of tradition. The way Collaborative and Cooperative Relationships are Built on mutual trust and respect and results in shared benefit. Professionalism The way Accountability is Achieved Teamwork The way Decisions are Made Page 2
Early Childhood & Human Development Undergraduate & Professional Development Program Professional Pathway Community-Based Trainings through Bachelor Degrees Overview of Rio Salado College Education Department: The Education Department at Rio Salado College is comprised of two separate programs: the Teacher Preparation Program (TPP) and the Early Childhood & Human Development Undergraduate Program (ECE/HD). The ECE/HD program focuses on undergraduate studies and professional development for the largest sector of the early childhood/human development employment field. Employment examples: HeadStart Programs, center-based child care facilities, family child care providers, non-profit/faith-based child care facilities and other early childhood professionals providing in-direct, non-classroom services to children and families. The ECE/HD program works to establish articulation agreements that provide a seamless pathway from community-based training through bachelor degrees. TPP provides post-baccalaureate opportunities for individuals seeking to be early childhood certified by AZ Department of Education (ADE). This includes certified teachers wishing to complete early childhood Endorsement coursework. Employment examples include public schools, charter schools and private schools meeting ADE certification requirements. TPP works to establish articulation agreements that provide a seamless pathway from the post-baccalaureate experience to the Master and Doctorate Degree. For additional information please visit our website at: www.riosalado.edu Professional Pathway Overview: Responding to several years of work by the Professional Development and Articulation (PDA) committee convened by the Governor s Division of School Readiness who created a career pathway schematic for early childhood professional development, Rio Salado College is working to increase access for early care and education practitioners to achieve professionalism while being sensitive to the resources and time constraints for both employers and practitioners. This work has resulted in the development a tiered professional development system. The Rio Salado College Professional Pathway Model is a systemic approach to articulation of community-based training through bachelor degrees. Utilizing a developmental model this system allows practitioners to enter our seamless pathway at their current educational level and proceed as far up the professional pathway as they want. We believe this model is one of the keys to improving the quality of care and education in Arizona. Page 3
Early care and education practitioners will use the model to identify where to begin their program of study and create an education plan for continued professionalism towards national credentialing, college certificates, and/or degree attainment. Once the practitioner begins implementation of their education plan the system allows for seamless transition to the next level and options for specialization in infant/toddler, preschool, and administration in the field of early care and education. The model also provides pathways to programs of study in areas of family life that are related to the early care and education field such as parenting education, adolescent development, and adult development. The seamless systemic approach to the model provides practitioners with the tools they need to make the decisions about their professional pathway that make sense for their current position as well as those they aspire to in the future. Practitioners choosing to participate in Rio s Professional Pathway Model will see that many of the barriers related to articulation faced by most early care and education practitioners have been eliminated. Every effort has been made to insure that training and education obtained prior to enrolling in Rio Salado College is valued and counted towards the attainment of their education goal. The variety of delivery methods Rio Salado College utilizes for coursework completion is conducive to the needs of the working early care and education professional. Rio provides on-line and in-person options for course delivery. With on-line classes starting every Monday, practitioners have fifty-two opportunities per year to begin a program of study. In-person classes are provided in a Weekend College model at our Rio Surprise Lifelong Learning Center or in an Employer Cohort model. Weekend College courses take place on Saturdays. Employer Cohort courses take place at a time place that is convenient for the staff of the sponsoring organization. Each level of the Rio Salado College Professional Pathway model is designed to meet regulatory, employer, and practitioner s educational needs. Each level builds a bridge to the next offering reliable transition points to reach the next. Level 1: Access to Professionalism Rio Salado College believes that active participation in Arizona s Career Registry, known as S*CCEEDS, is a first step towards professionalism for many early care and education practitioners. Out of this belief, Rio has developed a process to create education agreements with organizations that provide S*CCEEDS registered training. These agreements allow the college to work with the organization to evaluate the training curriculum, the credentials of the trainers, and the organizations ability to deliver the training. This process provides Rio with ability to attach credit to the training delivered by organizations when all criteria are met. An example of such an agreement is the provision of a three credit college course option for practitioners completing the Recognition and Response Professional Development Program provided by the Arizona Learning and Literacy Center. Additional educational agreements have also been completed or are in the process of being completed with many training/education organizations throughout Maricopa County. Page 4
Additionally, since Rio Salado College recognizes that learning takes place in a variety of situations and circumstances outside of the traditional academic environment, prior learning, not life experience, is the basis for the award of college credit. Practitioners holding a valid CDA from the Council for Professional Recognition can apply for up to nine college credits to be awarded towards the completion of a college certificate or degree. Other programs being recognized for prior learning credit award by Rio include: The American Montessori International (AMI) Training Program The Childcare Education Institute (CCEI) CDA Certificate and Director s Certificate Program The National Child Care Association (NCCA) National Administrator s Credential (NAC) The Child Care Professional Training (CCPT) program funded by the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Child Care Administration The Arizona Learning & Literacy Center (ALLC) Recognition and Response Professional Development Program Students seeking credit award for prior learning must apply by obtaining the appropriate form in the Office of Admissions and Records, and completing applicable paperwork and other requirements of the college, including payment of required fee. Level 2: National Credentialing Rio s Professional Development model provides a systemic approach to increasing the number of practitioners prepared to apply for a Child Development Associate National Credential (CDA). Rio s model has incorporated S*CCEEDS approved training into our model. Using that training we have created several pathways for students to obtain the CDA that are both time and cost effective for early care and education practitioners. Our model also allows for seamless transition within our programs of study so that students will always be able to move to the next education level without loss of credit. Utilizing the S*CCEEDS Core Knowledge Elements and Competencies Rio has developed a process to identify the CDA Subject Areas met by these training/education experiences needed to satisfy the required education for CDA application. Practitioners seeking the CDA can work with a Rio Salado College Education Coach to use their S*CCEEDS training/education in combination with college coursework to complete the educational requirements for CDA application. This process definitively validates the practitioner s participation in S*CCEEDS registered training. The process is also cost effective in that it can utilize previous training/education which may reduce the need for additional training or excessive college coursework to meet the CDA education requirements. Page 5
Although utilization of the S*CCEEDS approved training is a solution for early care and education practitioners seeking to meet the educational requirements for the CDA National Credential two additional pathways have been developed by Rio Salado College. Both pathways use college coursework but each has been designed to meet specific requests from the early care and education community. Courses completed in both of the national credentialing pathways articulate into college certificate and degree pathways allowing students to continue their education. The Occupational Pathway to national credentialing uses primarily one credit coursework. Practitioners complete twelve credit hours to meet the education requirements of the CDA National Credential. This pathway is delivered through an employer cohort model and can be completed within a twelve month time frame. Although this pathway is primarily designed for practitioners whose initial goal is only the CDA National Credential, Rio has aligned the twelve credit coursework model in such a way that should a student decide to continue pursuing a college certificate or an associate degree, the student can use the twelve credit hours for these programs. * The Academic Pathway to national credentialing is designed for the participant that is sure they want to meet the CDA National Credential education requirements but also know they are going on to complete the Rio Salado College Early Childhood Education Certificate of Completion and/or an associate degree. Students complete twenty-two college credits which are three fourths of the requirements of the early childhood college certificate and a third of the courses needed to complete an Associate degree. * The early childhood certificate of completion is 32 credit hours and the associate degrees are 64-69 credit hours. Level 3: Certificates of Completion The Certificate of Completion (CCL) is a program of study in occupational education that has been approved by the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) Governing Board. The intent of the CCL in a specified field is to provide the student with the technical competencies necessary for primarily entry-level positions in local businesses and industries. (Sourced from the Curriculum Procedures Handbook, Certificate Guidelines, Curricular Resources) The Academic Certificate of Completion (AC) in Early Childhood Education is designed to provide students with an understanding of universal concepts and basic practices which are the foundation for early childhood care and education. The Certificate includes courses identified as core elements of early care and education such as health, safety, nutrition, curriculum, family values, community, diversity, professionalism, guidance & discipline, and child development as well as general education courses relevant to early childhood education. Students completing this thirty-two credit college certificate have completed half of the course requirements needed to complete the Early Childhood Associate in Transfer Partnership Degree and a fourth of the coursework needed the bachelor pathways. Page 6
The CCL in Child and Family Organizations Management and Administration is designed to provide students with fiscal administration, and systems management, knowledge and skills needed to effectively provide the leadership needed to operate a high quality early childhood organization. Students completing this nineteen credit college certificate have completed a fourth of the course requirements for the Associate Degree in Early Childhood Administration. Additionally, students completing this certificate have met the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation criteria which requires nine credit hours of coursework in leadership, management, and/or administration for Directors. The CCL in Parent Education will prepare individuals to enter the family life education with a focus on parent education. Students at a paraprofessional level can expect to find employment opportunities in adoption and foster care, crisis intervention programs, social service agencies (both private and State/local government), and other child and family, community-based organizations. The CCL in Adolescent Development will prepare individuals to enter the family life education, human development, or child and family organizations field at the paraprofessional level. Students at a paraprofessional level can expect to find employment opportunities in adoption and foster care, crisis intervention programs, group and halfway houses, social service agencies (both private and State/local government), facilities for the disabled and developmentally challenged individuals, community mental health clinics, psychiatric facilities, shelters and other child and family, community-based organizations. The CCL in Adult Development & Aging will prepare individuals to enter the family life education, human development, or child and family organizations field at the paraprofessional level. Students at a paraprofessional level can expect to find employment opportunities in adult day care centers, crisis intervention programs, group and halfway houses, hospice care, senior citizen centers, social service agencies (both private and State/local government), facilities for the disabled and developmentally challenged individuals, community mental health clinics, psychiatric facilities, shelters and other child and family, community-based organizations. Level 4: Associate Degrees Rio Salado College offers several Associate Degrees that have been designed to meet the diversity of workforce and professional development needs of the early care and education field. An associate degree is a college degree awarded after the completion of about 60 to 64 credit hours. It either prepares students for a career following graduation or allows them to transfer into a bachelor degree program. In partnership with Northern Arizona University (NAU), the Associate in Transfer Partnership (ATP) for Early Childhood Education is a collaborative agreement providing a flexible and non-traditional means of obtaining general education courses and early childhood teacher education foundation courses. Students earn a 69 credit hour Associate degree at Rio Salado College (RSC) and then may elect to transfer to Northern Arizona University to complete a bachelor degree. Page 7
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) for Early Childhood Education prepares individuals to work within the field of early childhood education (ECE), focusing on programs serving children birth through 8 years of age. The courses are based on current ECE theory and practice. The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) for Early Childhood Administration is designed as an integrated program of study that provides an educational foundation in early childhood education plus administrative and management courses specifically related to the business needs and practices of early childhood directors, owners and other management-level staff. Students completing this 66-68 credit hour program will have completed over half of the coursework requirements for the Early Childhood Administration as a component of a Bachelor in Business Administration partnership pathway with Northcentral University. The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) for Family Life Education prepares individuals to enter the family life education, human development or child and family organizations field at the paraprofessional level. The degree offers the student an opportunity to specialize in parent education, adolescence studies, adult development and aging, or administration and management. Level 5: Bachelor Degree Opportunities Rio Salado College (RSC) continuously works to develop partnerships with higher education institutions that will enable our students to pursue Bachelor Degrees that will meet the workforce and personal needs of the early care and education practitioner. Rio will only establish partnerships that truly exemplify our philosophy of seamless articulation. Rio has established an online collaborative educational partnership with Northcentral University (NCU) to offer Rio Salado undergraduate early childhood education student s two degree pathways leading to a bachelor degree: Early Childhood Education (leads to a B.S.Ed.) and Early Childhood Business Administration (leads to a B.B.A). Students who wish to earn a bachelor degree now have the opportunity to transfer up to 90 semester hour credits from Rio Salado to Northcentral University. The remaining 30 undergraduate upper division semester credits of course work needed to complete the Bachelor of Education degree are taken 100% online from Northcentral University. Other Bachelor Degree Transfer Opportunities: Rio Salado College works to align degree pathways to maximize student choice and flexibility for transfer opportunities. Potential transfer opportunities are: Early Childhood Education Associate of Arts Degree (AAS) Ottawa University Pacific Oaks College Nova Southeastern Northern Arizona University Early Childhood Teaching Associate in Transfer Partnership (ATP) Northern Arizona University Page 8
Early Childhood Business Administration Associate of Arts Degree (AAS) Ottawa University Pacific Oaks College Nova Southeastern Family Life Education Associate of Arts Degree Ottawa University Pacific Oaks College Nova Southeastern Northern Arizona University Note: 1. Students interested in taking coursework at Rio Salado College and completing a B.S./B.A./B.S.Ed. at Arizona State University or University of Arizona are encouraged to seek advisement from these institutions prior to enrolling for coursework at Rio Salado College. Rio Salado College also provides coursework that will transfer to Arizona State University or the University of Arizona. Students are encouraged to work closely with advisors at these universities to ensure transferability. 2. A visual representation of this narrative has been included on page 17 of this document. The following pages contain several flowcharts that illustrate the seamless and systemic approach to degree obtainment and professional development at Rio Salado College for those in the Early Childhood and Human Development fields. Page 9
Rio Salado College Early Childhood & Human Development Undergraduate Professional Pathway Community Based Trainings through Bachelor Degrees Early Childhood Education Early Childhood Bus/Admin Bachelor Degrees* Seamless Pathway @ Rio Salado College Early Childhood Education Early Childhood Administration Family Life Education Associate Degrees Early Childhood Education (Academic Certificate) Child & Family Organizations: Management & Admin Parent Education Adolescent Development Adult Development & Aging Academic Pathway Occupational Pathway Certificate of Completion 19 credits 10 credits National Credentialing S CCEEDS Registered Training, up to & through Level IIA or IIB High School Career & Technical Education (CTE) Early Childhood Completer Access to Professionalism Visit www.riosalado.edu for additional information about these programs of study. * Consult our Pathways Charts for suggested colleges/universities for articulation options. Page 10
Educational Options for Rio ECE/HD Students by Occupation Early Childhood Administration Pathway Director or Asst Director Child Care Facilities: Commercial Setting Non-Profit Setting Faith Based Setting Family Child Care Home Early Childhood Pathway (Non Certification) Teacher- Caregiver Child Care Centers: Commercial Setting Non-Profit Setting Faith Based Setting Family Child Care Home Early Childhood Pathway TEACHER CERTIFICATION VIA NCU PARTNERSHIP Certified Teacher Public School Setting Charter School Setting Family Life Education AAS Paraprofessional Positions Community & Social Service Agencies Adoption & Foster Care Adult Day Care Centers Group & Halfway Houses Social Service Agencies Parent Educators (not an exhaustive list) Page 11
Early Childhood Pathways: National Credentialing to Bachelors Entering Student Complete coursework @ Rio Yes Apply to Council for Professional Recognition for CDA credential Student Decision Point: CDA? No Student Decision Point: Continue college pathway? Yes Pursue Academic CCL 32 credit hours Pursue teacher certification Student Decision Point: Continue college pathway? Pursue Associate Degree Student Decision Point: Which Degree? Early Childhood AAS 66-68 credit hours Early Childhood ATP 69 credit hours Student Decision Point: Pursue Bachelor Degree? Bachelor Options ATP students transfer to NAU to complete Early Childhood BAS Northcentral BSEd Early Childhood Teacher Certification NCU accepts 90 credit hours from Rio Pacific Oaks College Nova Southeastern University BSCD Ottawa University BA Ottawa accepts 80 credit hours from Rio Northern AZ University BS Ed Occupational Education Addendum Page 12
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