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Preschool in High School
February 9, 2011
The belief that all genuine education comes about through experience does not mean that all experiences are genuinely or equally educative.
-John Dewey, 1859-1952, American Psychologist
-John Dewey, 1859-1952, American Psychologist
The Sun Sentinel (January 9, 2011) recently reported on preschools operated in high schools in Palm Beach County, Florida.
"While preschool at high school may sound unusual, the concept has taken off across the Palm Beach County School District. This year, 12 of the 23 traditional high schools have some form of a program that prepares students for careers in child-related occupations. Nearly 2,100 9th through 12th-graders are enrolled in these classes, according to the district.
"Through these teaching models, high school students can earn an Early Childhood Professional Certificate, from the Florida Department of Education, by the time they graduate. That requires 120 hours of classroom instruction, 480 hours of direct work with young children, and passing exams from the state Department of Children & Families.
"'They can be a lead teacher at a preschool right out of high school,' said Tracey Kouf, Santaluces High School teacher academy instructor, adding that many graduates go on to work in preschools while pursuing higher education.
"Educators think a greater emphasis on these academies will lead to more college graduates entering the teaching profession, as well as providing qualified workers for local day-care centers that may deal with high turnover and regular vacancies."
Thanks to Zvia Dover for sharing this "good news."
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For Teachers
- Outdoor Play Environments
- Food and Nutrition Challenges
- Literacy in the Early Years
- Serving Children with Special Needs
- Managing Challenging Behaviors
- Math in the Early Years
- Brain Research Implications for Early Childhood
- Involving Parents in Your Program
- Observation and Assessment
- Reggio Emilia Learning Experiences
- Making Play Work
- Social and Emotional Development
- Staff Recruitment and Selection
- Staff Challenges
- Leadership in Early Childhood
- Supervising Early Childhood Staff
- Training Early Childhood Staff
- Evaluating Early Childhood Programs
- ECE Leadership Issues #1
- Marketing Child Care Services
- Managing Money
- Maintaining a Safe Environment
- Physical Environment and Room Arrangement
- Organization Management
- Observation
- Teamwork
- Communication
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Comments (19)
Displaying 5 of 19 Comments [ View all ]Broward County Schools
plantation, FL, United States
Broward County has had programs like these for years. (I have been teaching them for over 20). Because of all the budget cuts in education and the fact that the state does not recognize this vocational program in the equation for FCAT points; over 16 programs have been cut in less than 15 years. We have one of the best teacher preparation programs in the county with a brand new playground installed 2 years ago, now cut due to lack of true starting salaries to consider them valuable in Career Tech. majors. Auto Mechanics, Wood Shop, Culinary Operations, Horticulture, Nursing, and Business classes are all considered viable careers because they have an exit exam approved by the state. Early Childhood Education has more rigorous exit
criteria than a single exam. Students prepare a lengthy portfolio with 600 documented hours of work and teacher prep skills, yet the state does not find it a valuable enough career prep program to fund it or count it in the new FCAT equation that grades schools. The program is fabulous! It not only prepares young adults for needed careers, but prepares them to be better parents for our future generations.
San Francisco, CA, United States
Palm Beach County ‘s “preschool at high school” model has merits but needs improvement. It seems rigorous enough to train teachers who can provide quality early education and care. It encourages young people to work in child-related professions. It provides trained staff for child care centers. Unfortunately, using early education and care as a gateway to other child-related professions contributes to staff attrition. In order to solve these problem, the "preschool at high school" approach could be used as a gateway to academic credits and related job opportunities in college for students who are working toward an early childhood education credential, with a concentration on children ages 0-5. Hopefully, these credentialed teachers will provide quality early education and child care for a lifetime rather than a few years.
United States
I love this - great training! AND, even if they don't end up teaching, they will learn some excellent parenting skills!
El Centro, CA, United States
This is an excellent opportunity for students to better understand child growth and development, which would better prepare them as they became parents to positively impact children of their own as well.
Pittston, PA, United States
I do agree with Donna.(above) The expectations of NAEYC and most state quality initatives regarding the education of staff seems to be taking a step backwards with qualifying highschool graduates the title of Lead Teacher. The maturity and additional education and experience that a college education provides is not just a nice idea, but very necessary in providing the high quality care and education that we now know is necessary for children to thrive later on in life. To say this would give you a better qualified Aide is okay, but let's not begin to think that 120 hours of classroom instruction qualifies a Lead Teacher.
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