Early childhood professionals who earn a Child Development Associate credential now also can receive 12 credits at Delaware institutes of higher education under a new agreement with the state.

The Delaware Department of Education funds the Early Childhood Innovation Center (ECIC), which offers direct support to help early childhood professionals work toward their CDAs, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees. The ECIC, housed at Delaware State University, has partnered with Delaware colleges and universities who offer early childhood education programs to establish credit for prior learning and/or prior learning assessments for early childhood education professionals who have earned the Child Development Associate^® (CDA), Credential™. The CDA^® is a national credential awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C.

Delaware State University, Delaware Technical Community College, and Wilmington University have signed agreements to award 12 credits for current and incoming students who are CDAs. This means that any early childhood professional who holds a CDA will be awarded four, three-credit program specific courses on their college/university transcripts. These credits will allow early childhood professionals to graduate with their degree in early childhood education at an accelerated rate and place more credentialed and degreed professionals in the early childhood industry.

“This is a significant moment of change in the story of our early childhood professionals,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. “We are grateful that our partner college and universities are acknowledging the value of the intensive instruction, collaborative cohort discussion, and demonstration of skills required of our professionals obtaining their CDAs. The course of study allows for practical application of what individuals are learning while they are employed. With this, early childhood professionals now have more options for their career advancement than ever before.”

This aligns with the state’s policy framework, released last year, to give postsecondary credit to students for prior learning.

“We look forward to continuing to partner with our institutes of higher education on flexible, rigorous pathway options,” Holodick said.

Governor John Carney said, “I applaud the Department of Education and our higher education partners for this agreement, which will support our early childhood educators. Research shows how important early childhood education is to a child’s future success. This new agreement will help individuals earn their degrees and more quickly get into classrooms to do the important work of teaching our youngest learners in Delaware.”

For early childhood professionals such as Corinne Tressler, this will make the next step in their educational journeys easier.

Tressler of Greenwood earned her CDA in March with the support of the ECIC.

“Mostly, it increased my confidence as an ECE professional by helping me understand the development of children, creating a larger desire and commitment to early childhood education,” she said. “I look forward to advancing in my career and creating a bigger difference on more levels.”

She’s excited about the opportunity to continue her education with the help of these agreements.

“I feel like (early childhood professionals) are finally being seen as a quality educator. I am hopeful that this will help encourage early childhood educators to continue on with their education or even better, to begin their educational journey knowing that a college degree is obtainable,” she said.

Council for Professional Recognition CEO Calvin E. Moore, Jr., said his organization is honored to be a part of this partnership.

“Delaware and the work of these institutions is a model that other states should look to. This initiative ultimately strengthens the early childhood education workforce by accelerating the graduation of more credentialed educators, addressing the critical need for qualified educators in early childhood education. We have already seen the impact the work of the Early Childhood Innovation Center has brought to the children of Delaware,” Moore said.

These partnerships align directly with the ECIC’s mission to develop and professionalize the early childhood education workforce and the leadership of the ECIC is hopeful that these partnerships will continue to increase. In fact, the ECIC is currently in conversation with the University of the Potomac, in Washington, D.C., to establish the same agreement. The program offered at Potomac is designed for Spanish speaking students and all courses are offered online.

“Delaware continues to move the needle on the importance of early childhood professionals,” ECIC Executive Director Kimberly Krzanowski said. “Recognizing the perseverance, rigor and dedication that Delaware’s early childhood professionals contribute each and every day to young children and their families is paramount in them earning the Child Development Associate® national credential as they continue to educate and support their local communities. The Early Childhood Innovation Center (ECIC) remains committed to insisting on success of our scholars with partnerships that accelerate their career trajectories while removing historical barriers.”

Leaders of Delaware institutes of higher education said they are excited to support early childhood professionals as they continue their education.

“The movement across institutions of higher education to work in concert to acknowledge the CDA certificate is monumental. There is an unprecedented energy in our early childhood education community – and we are only just beginning,” DSU Education Department Chair Shelley Rouser said. “I am thrilled that the ECIC is bringing us together to be sure we are re-evaluating our systems and doing whatever it takes to pave the way for their success beyond the CDA. As we launch our first cohort of a new associate’s degree program, it only made sense that we make sure our program honors the expertise that they have demonstrated through completion of the CDA.”

Wilmington University Vice President of Academic Affairs Denise Wells said Wilmington University has long supported various industry-recognized certifications so this agreement was a natural addition to the school’s Credit for Prior Learning Policy.

“When we evaluated the Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate requirements, it was clear that acknowledging the hard work and dedication required to earn this credential was essential. We proudly partner with Delaware organizations to award credits to the members of the childcare workforce who have earned a CDA and look forward to maintaining these positive collaborations,” Wells said.

Added Delaware Technical Community College Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Lisa Peel, “Our students come with diverse backgrounds and experiences, and Delaware Tech is proud to acknowledge and provide credits for students’ prior learning experiences. Recognizing national credentials, such as the CDA, accelerates early childhood professionals in their studies allowing them to enter the workforce sooner and fill critical roles in our communities.”

The University of Delaware plans to also add additional opportunities.

“UD is currently working on a Credit for Prior Learning policy that would enable new pathways to serve Delawareans. We look forward to working with our partners across the state on this transformational initiative,” Vice Provost for Academic Programs and University Initiatives Kimberley Isett said.

Attached: Photo provided by Corinne Tressler with permission for use.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

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