What Are the Influences of an Early Childhood Specific Educator Preparation Program on K–3 Teachers?

• In Event: Moscone Center West Roundtable Session 4
  In Roundtable Session: Promising Practices in the Preparation of Early Childhood Educators

Abstract

Early childhood Education (ECE) specific educator preparation programs (EPPs) are necessary for developing teachers capable of supporting the unique needs of young learners. However, only thirty states require kindergarten to third grade teachers to have a B.A. from an ECE specific EPPs. It remains unclear how ECE specific programs support emergent teachers’ understanding of ECE and performance with children in ECE in unique ways (Horm, Hyson, & Winton, 2013). This concurrent mixed methods research study explored the differences between teachers emerging from ECE specific programs vs. other with regards to teacher perception, self-efficacy, and student learning outcomes.

Authors

• Andrea M. Emerson, Western Oregon University

• Cindy Ryan, Western Oregon University