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Program Review

In July 2020, CEC approved the first stand-alone set of EI/ECSE professional standards - The Initial Practice-Based Professional Standards for Early Interventionists/Early Childhood Special Educators 2020  The standards can be used to advocate for changes to state licensure policy, to develop educator preparation curriculum, to develop professional learning opportunities, and to prepare for CAEP/SPA program review submission. The DEC is creating resources for supporting educator preparation programs in the review process.

The 2020 Standards

The Standards build on the history of EI/ECSE as an integrative but unique field of study, policy, research, and practice and emphasize the unique skills and knowledge required for specialization in working with young children and their families.


In the event an initial program prepares P-12 Educators, a program will use the following criteria to determine which set of initial standards are applicable: 

  • If the program prepares Birth through 8 years – use the EI/ECSE standards 

  • If the program prepares Pre-K through 12 (or some grade) – use EI/ECSE for the 3-8 portion of the program 

  • If the program prepares Birth-5 years or KG – use the EI/ECSE Standards 

  • If the program prepares K-12 or K-12+ – use the Initial K12 Special Educator Standards

Resources

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CAEP/CEC and State Program Reviews: What Do We Have? What Do You Need?
Jennifer Buchter, Megan Purcell, Margie Crutchfield, Beth Pinheiro, and Michelle Sands  (9/2022) 

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EI/ECSE Standards: Preparing for Program Review

Margie Crutchfield, Eva Horn, and Vicki Stayton (3/2021)

CEC/DEC EI/ECSE Candidate Performance Rubrics - This rubric is used by CEC/DEC EI/ECSE program reviewers to determine whether the content of the program’s assessments is sufficient to ensure that candidates meet each EI/ECSE standard. The content of all assessments cited as evidence for a standard must, taken as a whole, demonstrate that candidates have mastered the standard. Both in-service professional development and pre-service preparation programs can use these rubrics to assess candidates in ways that align with the EI/ECSE standards, whether or not they are pursuing CAEP accreditation.

 

Crosswalk of Standards and AssessmentsThe matrix demonstrates a crosswalk between the EI/ECSE Standards and the CAEP national SPA program review structure of 6 – 8 key assessments. Each X in the matrix below represents a potential primary source of direct assessment evidence of candidate ability to meet the Standard component. 

 

Performance Indicators - This document provides concrete examples of learning activities that learners can engage in to gain the knowledge and skills represented by the EI/ECSE standards. Performance indicators may be used to develop courses and curriculum, plan learning activities and assessments, and determine activities for learners to observe or engage in during field experiences and ongoing professional development activities.

 

edTPA Special Education Alignment to EI/ECSE Standards (9/2022) - The Alignment of the 2020 DEC EI/ECSE Preparation Standards and Components with the edTPA Special Education rubrics (9/2022) 

 

edTPA Early Childhood alignment of the EI/ECSE Standards (10/2022) - The Alignment of the 2020 DEC

EI/ECSE Preparation Standards and Components with the edTPA Early Childhood rubrics (10/2022)

 

CEC EI/ECSE Candidate Performance Rubrics - This rubric is used by CEC EI/ECSE program reviewers to determine whether the content of the program’s assessments is sufficient to ensure that candidates meet each EI/ECSE standard. The content of all assessments cited as evidence for a standard must, taken as a whole, demonstrate that candidates have mastered the standard. Both in-service professional development and pre-service preparation programs can use these rubrics to assess candidates in ways that align with the EI/ECSE standards, whether or not they are pursuing CAEP accreditation.

Early Childhood Personnel Center - The center provides technical assistance and resources for the following audiences: Part C and B/619 staff, higher education faculty, doctoral students, state early childhood intervention systems, and families to support states in developing comprehensive systems of personnel development.

 

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) - information about the overarching professional organization that provides the most current information about government policies, professional standards, professional development, and other resources for special educators.

Resources for Educators and Developing Educators Seeking to Understand the Standards and the Key Ideas Supported by Each Standard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EI/ECSE Glossary - The glossary contains terms and definitions used throughout the standards. The glossary can be used as a reference as you read the EI/ECSE standards and associated resources to aid understanding.

 

EI/ECSE Standards Alignment with DEC Recommended Practices (Birth - 5) and CEC High Leverage Practices (5-8) - This document reviews the alignment of the CEC-DEC EI/ECSE Standards (2020), DEC Recommended Practices (2014), and CEC High Leverage Practices (2017).

CEC/DEC EI/ECSE Standards, Components, and Supporting Explanations - This document provides a complete report of the EI/ECSE standards and their components. Additionally, supporting explanations are provided that describe why it is important for learners to gain the knowledge and skills represented by each component of the standard. These explanations can be used to support decisions about learning activities and practical experiences during pre-service preparation programs and in-service professional development activities.

 

Performance Indicators -This document provides concrete examples of learning activities that learners can engage in to gain the knowledge and skills represented by the EI/ECSE standards. Performance indicators may be used to develop courses and curriculum, plan learning activities and assessments, and determine activities for learners to observe or engage in during field experiences and ongoing professional development activities.

 

Themes Throughout the Standards - The following statements were developed to provide further explanation as to  central  themes which apply across all the new standards due to their fundamental influence on quality of EI/ECSE services. For pre-service, these statements may be topics addressed across curricula (e.g., as teacher educators do curricular planning, develop or revise courses). For PD they could be used to support development of materials and discussion topics (e.g., providing coaching around inclusive education). 

DEC Publications - Find information and view a sample issue for DEC’s two journals, Journal of Early Intervention and Young Exceptional Children.

 

Resources to Be Used by Faculty and Programs of Higher Education to Develop and Review Curricula in Alignment with the Standards​

EI/ECSE Standards, Knowledge Bases, and References - The standard knowledge base provides a concise summary of the relevant laws, other standards (i.e., InTASC, CEC, NAEYC, CAEP Elementary), DEC Recommended Practices, CEC HLPs, research and other literature and resources from the field that support each standard component. A full reference list is also included.  These can be used to understand the support that exists and was used in the development of the standards and components. These may be used to help ensure coursework and professional development includes the most poignant resources and sources of information.

 

Performance Indicators - This document provides concrete examples of learning activities that learners can engage in to gain the knowledge and skills represented by the EI/ECSE standards. Performance indicators may be used to develop courses and curriculum, plan learning activities and assessments, and determine activities for learners to observe or engage in during field experiences and ongoing professional development activities.

 

Crosswalk to EI/ECSE and ECE Standards - A crosswalk of the CEC Initial Practice-Based Professional Preparation Standards for Early Interventionists/Early Childhood Special Educators (EI/ECSE Standards) (2020) and the Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators (ECE Standards) (2020). This crosswalk was completed to assist higher education (IHE) faculty to integrate the standards into their preservice (i.e., initial preparation) curriculum and professional development (PD) providers to integrate the standards into PD content.

 

ECPC Course Development and Curriculum Resources EI/ECSE Standards 2020 - Includes adult learning planning tools and examples, sample syllabus, curriculum planning, crosswalks, and cross-disciplinary competencies found on the ECPC website. 

 

EI/ECSE Standards and Sources of Evidence for Candidate Performance - The CEC EI/ECSE Preparation Standards were developed so that they could  be assessed using six to eight assessments consistent with requirements for SPA Program Review Option A with National Recognition. This table provides examples of sources of assessment evidence for the components of each of the seven EI/ECSE content standards.

DEC Resources for Developing and Reviewing Programs of Higher Education

edTPA Special Education Alignment to EI/ECSE Standards (9/2022) - The Alignment of the 2020 DEC EI/ECSE Preparation Standards and Components with the edTPA Special Education rubrics (9/2022).

 

edTPA Early Childhood Alignment of the EI/ECSE Standards (10/2022) - The Alignment of the 2020 DEC EI/ECSE Preparation Standards and Components with the edTPA Early Childhood rubrics (10/2022).

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EI/ECSE Standards Flyer

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Program Review Committee

The Program Review Committee assists DEC by creating resources for supporting educator preparation programs in the review process. Learn more about the committee members.

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