The Early Childhood Personnel Preparation Project (ECPP) is a statewide study of the capacity and effectiveness of Minnesota’s 2- and 4-year Institutes of Higher Education in preparing early childhood educators and care providers. The project’s goal is to support the development of early childhood educators throughout Minnesota and to fulfill one of the core responsibilities of Minnesota’s former Early Childhood Advisory Council, as mandated by former Governor Tim Pawlenty in September 2008.

Minnesota is among the first states to undertake a statewide assessment of early childhood preparation programs, with the intention of both defining effectiveness and identifying gaps for further study. In addition, the project can serve as a model for other states and further study within Minnesota for assessing the capacity and effectiveness of Institutes of Higher Education. The project is a collaborative effort and brings together multiple state agencies, partners, and other stakeholders.

Five ways to use the findings

* Improve collaboration between 2- and 4-year Institutes of Higher Education in preparing early childhood personnel

* Increase student enrollment in effective early childhood preparation programs

* Coordinate efforts between early childhood and care programs

* Develop statewide professional development and career advancement plans

* Propose legislation to facilitate creation of a high quality early childhood system in Minnesota

Framework

Project Background

Evaluation Framework

Advisory Group Meeting Agenda 1 and Notes

Advisory Group Meeting Agenda 2 and Notes

Advisory Group Meeting Agenda 3 (coming May 2012)

ECPP Cover Letter

ECPP Inventory

Online Databases

National: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, College Navigator

National: CollegeSource Online

Minnesota: iSEEK Solutions, Education Search Tools

Minnesota State Colleges & Universities (MnSCU): College Search and Online Education Search

ECPP Reports

Map of Early Childhood Majors

Course Catalogues (coming June 2012)

Capacity (coming June 2012)

Enrollment (coming June 2012)

Graduation Statistics (coming June 2012)

Faculty Demographics (coming June 2012)

Online Directories

Minnesota Child Care Resource & Referral Network, T.E.A.C.H., Minnesota College Online Directory

MnSCU, MnTransfer, Articulation Agreements

Metropolitan State University, Minnesota Center for Professional Development, Articulation Agreements for Early Childhood Programs (Excel file)

ACET was awarded a contract by the Minnesota Department of Education in August 2011 to implement this project. The project is supported by funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). For more information, please contact Joseph Curiel, M.A., at ACET, Inc., joseph@acetinc.com at 952.922.1811.

Page last Updated [April 20, 2012]