I decided to start with PennAEYC, the state affiliate of NAEYC. Their website can be found at this link:
I chose this website because, frankly, NAEYC is the ultimate source in early childhood education. If I want to know what is new in Pennsylvania, or what the next big thing in ECE is going to be, this is the first site I check. They have the most up-to-date information pertaining to the newest NAEYC finding and how they apply in Pennsylvania.
I then chose PA Keys. Their link is:
I didn't really have to explore it because I am so familiar with it already. This is the site on which PA teachers record their professional development record, submit PD goals for the upcoming year, and see PD requirements for their positions. It is also where teachers can register for PD classes and apply for funding. PA Keys is the place to go to find learning standards and core knowledge competencies, as well as available communities within the Commonwealth. PA Keys provides teachers with contact information for people who can provide assistance or answer questions one may have with regards to early childhood education in PA.
The third site I chose was Pre-K for PA. The link is as follows:
This organization is quite new, having been established in 2014. The previous governor made massive and crippling cuts to educational funding. Pre-K for PA was developed as a response to the budget cuts. They focus on highlighting the benefits of providing quality early childhood education for all children, and work towards making this possible. I have been keeping a close watch on this site lately because not only are there battles with the 2016 budget, PA has not yet passed a budget for 2015! I know this is difficult to believe, seeing as how we are well into 2016, but it is true. Our new Governor supports increasing funding for education, but many state lawmakers are fighting him. In fact, I was asked to accept a massive pay cut in Sept. Funding to Rising STARS was delayed, causing me to temporarily withdraw from Walden University. In late December, the state agreed to release SOME funding for state programs, and I was able to get my back pay and resume my education. But the funding they released is running out and I am once again faced with a pay cut or possibly seeing my center shut down. This particular website has become one of my top-visited sites, as I am anxious for a budget to be passed and funding to early childhood education to be restored.
As one of the requirements of the grant I received to continue my education, I have committed to teach in a state ranked early childhood classroom for a minimum of two years following the completion of my studies. As I really love what I do and where I work, this is not really a hardship for me. However, with the lack of state funding, I do need to be informed as to other job opportunities should I find myself in the position of needing employment elsewhere.
Unfortunately, job searches for my area are dismal. There are very few positions available, and the ones that are have starting salaries near minimum wage. I am quite sure that the budget crisis in PA is largely at fault for this, as there are numerous centers which were forced to close their doors, leaving many ECE teachers unemployed. The centers that remain open are hesitant about hiring, as future funding is uncertain. Many centers are forced to run with the bare minimum number of staff members. I will continue to pursue my professional development, and advocate for quality early childhood education for all, but I also know in my heart of hearts that, at some point, it may become necessary for me to look for employment outside my field. This is a thought that breaks my heart, and I hope it never becomes reality, but unfortunately it is always in the back of my mind.
Dear Kathleen,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that information. I know cutting early childhood funding is not good for young children. Here in Memphis, TN, the Early Head Start and Head Start programs have received a large grant because the local school system gave over the grant money to the early childhood program, and now there are a lot of job opportunities here with a degree in Early childhood education.