Advocating for equity in wages and quality will both educate our legislators to consider policy change as well as create an informed public.
"Several decades of research clearly demonstrate that high-quality, developmentally appropriate early childhood programs produce short- and long-term positive effects on children's cognitive and social development, (NAEYC, n.d.)". Having access to this research allows us, as professionals, the confindence to advocate for change.
The lack of equity in wages doesn't create a professionalism nor a true understanding of the importance of the work. Advocating for wages to match the work will assist with the quality.
Creating quality within a field that is underfunded and underpaid can be difficult.
I'm truly enjoying the research of my topic choice. Do you have any additional insights or opinions that can assist me in my search?
NAEYC; n.d. Early Years Are Learning Years. A Call for Excellence In Early Childhood Education. Retrieved on September 15, 2012 from http://www.naeyc.org/policy/excellence.
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ReplyDeleteHeather,
ReplyDeleteBest wishes on your research! It seems that you are well on your way!
I remember from the Foundations course a website that was called "The Worthy Wage Campaign" found at http://www.ccw.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=53
I also discovered that there is a link to wage information for the ECE field,and this can be found at http://www.ccw.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=48
I think your topic is timely and worth examining!
Kristi
Yes! I am right there with you on this topic. Kristi's suggestion, "The Worthy Wage Campaign" does give some valuable information. We need a change if we expect to create and sustain quality professionals, if not we will continue to lose more and more "passionate explorers" of this magnificent field.
ReplyDeleteHi Heather, I think this is a very valuable and worthwhile topic to research. It has always amazed me when I hear people speak about the teaching profession in a negative light. I think teaching is the most noble profession that a person can have, and I take every opportunity to let people know this! I am new to the field of early childhood and was surprised to find out that they are paid even less than school teachers and often get even less respect! It is time to educate society about the value of EC professionals and the work that they do, and convince them to compensate them accordingly! Good luck with your research! Delores
ReplyDelete