Program of Study: Early Childhood Education
Overview of Program Development
Newberry College’s Early Childhood Program began in the fall of 2006, with only 5
candidates and has since increased enrollment to 39 candidates. We had our first ECE
graduate in the spring of 2007. In May 2009, we expect to have 9 ECE graduates. Most of
our currently enrolled ECE students are traditional (post-high school) students, taking a
course-load of 12-18 credits per semester. A few of our ECE students are non-traditional
students (adults/working adults). These students have indicated barriers such as
scheduling of classes and course expectations which conflict with work schedules. As a
result of these apparent needs, Newberry College began to research the community needs
of staff currently working in early childhood programs. In order to serve the local
community, we hope to enhance the quality of care and education of young children
living in Newberry County, and increase enrollment to the Early Childhood Program.
Needs Assessment
Meetings with management personnel at GLEAMNS Head Start confirmed the need for
teachers and teacher assistants to earn an Early Childhood degree (or related degree,
such as Child Development) by 2013. Teachers are required to earn a minimum of a
Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) and teacher assistants are required to
earn a minimum of an Associate of Arts (AA). Ninety percent of teachers and assistants
in this program have not met those federally mandated requirements. 112 of 125 surveys
distributed to GLEAMNS teachers and assistants were returned completed. These
teachers and assistants indicated several barriers. 70% of these teachers stated they were
interested earning their required degrees through Newberry College. Approximately 50%
of them cited transportation and scheduling as the primary barriers to enrolling in an early
childhood program. 25% percent of them are enrolled in evening classes at Piedmont and
Midlands Technical Colleges.. Financial aid was noted as an issue by all respondents.
Meetings with Early Childhood faculty at Piedmont and Midlands revealed similar
barriers. Financial aide was indicated as a barrier. Many funding sources support students
through four year programs, and two or more may have been used in a program at
Piedmont, limiting finds to complete a BS or BA program which may require an
additional 2.5 years. Credit transfer of courses has been a barrier. Students are not certain
of courses to take to ensure they transfer. As with GLEAMNS, scheduling and
transportation were noted as barriers. Many of these students are working adults and in
need of an evening program, such as is offered at the technical schools, to attain a BA or
BS in ECE
According to survey results and meetings with faculty and personnel from GLEAMNS,
Piedmont and Midlands, scheduling needs also impact the ability of many of these
students to meet South Carolina’s state certification requirements, as it would obligate
students to complete one full semester of student teaching in a public school, during
which time these students are currently employed in a non-public school setting.
Some of Newberry College’s traditional students struggle with successful completion of
Praxis requirements, generally due to inability to pass Praxis I and sometimes Praxis II.
This was indicated as an issue for teaching staff at GLEAMNS, Piedmont and Midlands
Technical Colleges.
During meetings with each of these partners, the question of whether students at technical
schools were receiving pre-k through grade three instructions was discussed. After much
discussion and a review of syllabi and program plans, it became clear that students at
both Midlands and Piedmont take part in certification programs for age’s birth –age eight.
This information instantly removed the perceived barrier that technical programs stop
instruction at the kindergarten level.
Instructional barriers became more evident as Newberry College, Piedmont and Midlands
Tech began to discuss plans in response to these issues.
Course Articulation/ Early Childhood Education Program for Working Adults
In response to the barriers identified, Newberry College proposed a plan for an early
childhood degree program that meets the needs of working adults. This Early Childhood
Education Program for Working Adults has been proposed to begin summer or fall of
2009. Classes would be provided 1 day per week, 4 hours per day plus 2 Saturdays for 4
hours each. Each set of 2 classes would meet for an 8 week program; with a 1-2 week
break before the next set of classes begin. Piedmont Technical College has offered a
classroom at their Newberry Center where Newberry College faculty could provide a face
to face class as well as satellite classes throughout the region. Midlands Tech faculty
offered to arrange for a class to meet at their Harbson Center to participate in the satellite
classroom. Newberry College will have to obtain SACS approval to provide off campus
programs.
Proposed Cohort Size and Description
We anticipate cohort groups of approximately 10 or more students, including
GLEAMNS Head Start teaching staff, transfer students from Piedmont and Midlands
Tech, teachers needing certification classes and teachers in private and public childcare
and prek.
Course Development
Students enrolled in the Early Childhood Education Program for Working Adults would
be required to meet the same graduation requirements as traditional students. The list of
required courses will not change. Newberry College’s early childhood course plan would
not change. However, some accommodations will be made to address the needs of
transfer students, most of which will come from Piedmont and Midlands Technical
College, as indicated in the proposed plan. In partnership with Piedmont and Midlands
Technical College, Newberry College is in the process of developing an education plan
that would begin at Piedmont or Midlands Technical College and be completed through
Newberry College. The plan will purpose a 2 +o 2.5 program.
Currently, Newberry College’s ECE program has sufficient faculty support. However,
with the addition of the ECE program for working adults, additional faculty may be
needed to teach these classes during non-traditional hours.
In order to develop a combined program plan that includes courses students will be
required to take at Piedmont and Midlands, as well as courses they will take through
Newberry College, syllabi will be review to ensure that students in this program are
prepared to meet all of the requirements of the Teacher Education Program according to
NAEYC/NCATE standards. If additional courses are necessary, these will be determined
during course review.
Certification requirements were identified as an issue for working adults who are required
to attain a BA or BS in ECE. Newberry College will propose a plan that allows students
to choose a certification track or a non certification track. The certification track will
enable students to teach in public school settings, but will require a semester of internship
in a public school classroom. The non-certification track will require students to complete
a semester of internship, but could be completed in the context of their current work
setting, such as in the Head Start classroom, private pre-k classrooms, and child care
settings. The non-certification track would benefit Head Start, child care and private prek employers, since their staff enrolled in this program would enhance the quality of
education and care for young children, yet would likely remain in that setting, since
public school settings would not be an option. The non-certification track would also
require that during the semester of on-site internship, multiple observations and
assessments be conducted by a mentor and Newberry College ECE faculty. Students who
cannot or are not required to meet certification student teaching requirements may be
eligible for Program for Alternative Certification of Educators (PACE), if they seek
certification at a later time.
Traditional students at Newberry College are required to complete Fine Arts Lecture
Series (FAL) requirements. Currently, students must attend three FAL events per
semester. This is an issue to be addressed since an FAL is considered something required
of all students, but may not be appropriate for working adults. The college will study
FAL events and their relationship to working adults.
Communication Across the Curriculum Program (CACP) are research and writing
projects that must be completed to meet graduation requirements. Support to current
students is available through the campus writing center. Non-traditional students may
need additional support in completing these requirements where current Writing Center
support hours are not available.
Financial Aid
Financial Aid was discussed in partnership with Piedmont and Midlands faculty and it
was determined that the issue of funding for a program that exceeds the four year funding
allotment will be a barrier for many. A formal articulation plan, such as previously
discussed may enable students to accomplish requirements within a 4.5 year time frame.
Newberry ECE faculty will explore additional funding sources such as the Early
Childhood Teach Grant. Newberry College has also applied for grants which may enable
them to support student with funds for books and fees. Newberry College faculty is also
proposing to request a discount for students in this program, since they will not live on
campus, use parking and classrooms nor use campus food services. (See work plan/time
frame) Newberry College has been awarded a $10000 grant from Bank of America to
support the beginning implementation.
Textbook Purchase
Newberry College proposes to purchases textbooks for each class, for students to use on
loan, and to be reused each time the course is taught. If students would like to keep the
book for a professional library, then the student purchase the book at bookstore cost.
Advisement / Advisor Training
Currently, there is no formal plan for advisement. In partnership with Piedmont Tech and
Midlands Tech, Newberry College will develop an advisement plan that provides joint
advisement among all colleges. There will be an advisor/coordinator from Newberry
College who works closely with advisors from both Piedmont and Midlands Tech to
ensure a smooth transition from Technical College to Newberry College. The joint ECE
course plan, once developed, should generate a smooth transition from one college to the
next.
There is no current training in place for student advisors at Newberry College nor at the
technical Colleges. A workshop or series of workshops should be planned to ensure all
who are advising these students have the same information and plan in mind. (See work
plan/time frame)
Marketing and Recruitment
There is a general plan in place for marketing and recruitment at Newberry College.
Informal recruitment efforts for this program have included meetings with GLEAMNS
Head Start, Piedmont Tech, and Midlands’s Tech and with First Steps Coordinators.
Surveys were distributed to these Colleges and programs to elicit student interest and
needs. Newberry College ECE faculty will plan to attend Career Fairs and College Days
at Piedmont and Midlands Technical Colleges. A formal marketing and recruitment plan
with timelines will be developed and implemented in partnership with Piedmont and
Midlands Tech. (See work plan/time frame) The BOA grant provides$1000 to begin
efforts in January 2009.
Transfer Student Report
Non-traditional students will likely need support to pass Praxis I and II. Newberry
College has a Praxis Consultant who currently works with our traditional students in
preparation for these exams. Consequently, students have improved their scores on these
exams. Our consultant has agreed to offer the same services to our non-traditional
students (free of charge), by providing on site workshops and private consultations as
needed. (See work plan/time frame)
Finances
Newberry College has applied for early childhood grants totaling 43,000, with $23,500
already awarded, and will be used in the development of this program, assist with the
provision of books and applied to sustainment monies as needed. Additional grants will
be researched. (See work plan/time frame)
Work Plan/Timeline/Start Up Costs
Barrier or Issue
Proposed Plan
Time Frame
Responsible
Person(s)
Course Articulation
Review
Syllabi;
develop
combined ece
coursework
plan; develop
formal
articulation
agreement
(see narrative)
Draft
Proforma and
submit to
Administration
for approval
Fall 2008
(NovDec)/Early
Spring 2009
(Jan-Feb)
Newberry
College ECE
Faculty and
Education
Dept Chair;
Piedmont and
Midlands Tech
ECD faculty
Nov/Dec
2008
Revise and
Submit
proposal for
Faculty
Council
Review;
Jan 2009
Newberry
College ECE
Faculty and
Education
Dept Chair;
Office of
Academic
Affairs
Faculty
Council;
Faculty and
Newberry
College
Administration
Proforma for ECE WA
program
Newberry College
Approval of proposal
Estimated
Start Up
Costs (
As
applicable)
Scheduling/Transportation Working
Adults
Program;
Piedmont Tech
Satellite
equipped
classrooms;
Midlands
satellite
equipped
classrooms
(see narrative)
Certification/no
Proposal for
certification
noncertification
track (see
narrative)
FAL and CACP
Develop a plan
requirements
for Support to
students
needing to
meet FAL
event
requirements
and writing
CACP papers.
Financial Aid
ECE Teach
Project
Funding;
provision of 44.5 year ece
program (see
narrative)
Advisement /Advisor
Develop
Training
Advisor plan
and training in
partnership
with Piedmont
and Midlands
Tech (See
narrative and
outline)
Transfer Report
Develop
Transfer
Student
Support
Spring 2009
Piedmont and
Midlands
Faculty,
Newberry
College ECE
Faculty and
Education
Dept Chair
Spring 2009
Newberry
College ECE
Faculty and
Education
Dept Chair
Newberry
College ECE
Faculty and
Education
Dept Chair
Spring 2009
Spring 2009
Spring 2009
Spring 2009
Newberry
College ECE
Faculty,
Education
Dept Chair,
Financial Aide
Personnel
Newberry
College ECE
Faculty,
Education
Dept Chair,
Admissions
Personnel
Newberry
College ECE
Faculty;
Education
Program
Marketing and
Recruitment
Develop
formal
Marketing and
Recruitment
plan
Recruitment at Piedmont
and Midlands Tech and
high schools
Finances
Attend College Spring 2009
Days events,
(See budget );
Make
revisions and
adjustments to
budget
Spring 2009
Faculty
Recruit faculty
for Core
classes
Spring 2009
Application and
Registration Processes
Register
students for
classes
Spring 2009
Implement
Program
Summer/fall Newberry
2009
College ECE
Planned Program
Implementation
Spring 2009
Dept Chair;
Praxis
Consultant,
Piedmont and
Midlands Tech
faculty
Newberry
$1000.00
College ECE
to start up
Faculty,
Education
Dept Chair,
Admissions
and Financial
Aid
Institutional
Advancement
Personnel
Newberry
College ECE
Faculty
Newberry
College ECE
Faculty,
Financial Aid
and
Admissions
personnel.
Education
Dept Chair
Newberry
College ECE
Faculty,.
Education
Dept Chair
Newberry
College ECE
Faculty,
Financial Aid
and
Admissions
personnel.
Education
Dept Chair
Faculty,
Education
Dept Chair;
Piedmont and
Midlands Tech
faculty
Additional Start Up Costs
Item
Cost
Faculty Stipend 500 per course
(instructors)
Faculty/Director 44.5cents per
mileage
mile
Director
3000.00 per
Supplement to
semester
Salary
Materials
$1000
Media
$100
Scholarships for
students
(Praxis,, fees,
tuition
discounts, etc)
Text books (See
narrative)
Marketing
Costs (copying,
distribution, etc)
Copying
(In general)
Sustainment Plan and Budget
Potential
Amount
Sources
Bank of
10,000
America
ECE Teach
Grant
Midlands Tech
Newberry
College
Note
Proposed Use
Faculty
stipends
Tuition for
students
Use of
Harbson Tech
classroom
Student tuition
and costs
Length of
grant
1 year
Notes
Approved/received
Exploring :
Michelle Hardy
and Glenna Zeak
Allowing use of
room at no cost
Scholarships
(for those who
meet
requirements)
SC State Loans
Federal Loans
*Newberry
College
Student tuition
and costs
Student tuition
and costs
Stipend for
director and
faculty; and
additional
admin costs as
noted
previously
Additional
grants???
Newberry College proposes to sustain this program
The Newberry
College ECE
program for
working adults
should bring in
additional revenue
to the college, at
which time we
will propose a plan
for financial
support to sustain
the program.
Exploring :
Michelle Hardy
and Glenna Zeak