ECHD 701 Early Education and Care Policy and Practice

In this course, students will examine early care and education (ECE) policies, programs, and practices. Particular attention is focused on analyses of national and state ECE policies and systems, including the implications of the current knowledge base and research to policies and practices at the federal, state, and program levels. Analyses are guided by several complementary conceptual frameworks and will be informed by the science of early childhood on developmentally appropriate practice, parenting, family support, parent engagement and empowerment, the importance of relationships, and the ecology of child development. Issues related to comprehensive services, the workforce, quality, costs and affordability, funding and return on investment, child outcomes, and advocacy are included. Implications of the ECE field will be identified and analyzed with a focus on advocacy for change.

3 Credit(s)