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- Illinois Early Learning (IEL): source of evidence-based, reliable information on early care and education for parents, caregivers, and teachers of young children in Illinois.
- Early Childhood Research & Practice (ECRP): was the first scholarly, peer-reviewed, bilingual (English-Spanish) online journal in the field of early childhood education.
- Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map (IECAM): a source for data on early care and education services and demographics in the state of Illinois. Data are available by state, county, township, legislative district, and several agency regions.
- Illinois Parents: operated with the Academic Development Institute in Lincoln, Illinois, provides resources and information for parents in the state of Illinois.
ED454958 PS029579
Title:Who's Caring for the Kids? The Status of the Early Childhood Workforce in Illinois.
Author(s): Krajec, Valerie Dawkins; Bloom, Paula Jorde; Talan, Teri; Clark, Douglas
Author Affiliation: National-Louis Univ., Wheeling, IL. Center for Early Childhood Leadership.(BBB35320)
Pages: 96
Publication Date: June 2001
Notes: A joint project by the Center for Early Childhood Leadership and the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies.
Sponsoring Agency: McCormick Tribune Foundation, Chicago, IL. (BBB28636)
Available from: EDRS Price MF01 Plus Postage. PC Not Available from EDRS.
Language: English
Document Type: Numerical/Quantitative Data (110); Reports--Evaluative (142)
Geographic Source: U.S.; Illinois
Journal Announcement: RIEDEC2001
Noting that
there is a lack of consistent and accurate information about the
teachers, administrators, and support staff who work in early childhood
settings in Illinois, this study documented the early childhood
workforce serving in infant/toddler, preschool, and school-age programs
in the state. The study also determined the impact of the current
career development system on practitioners, the programs they serve,
and the public at large. Data sources included state agencies' statistics,
other state and national reports, and surveys on compensation and
turnover, preferred nomenclature for professional roles and program
types, and pre-kindergarten teachers' career decisions. Survey participants
included 4,125 early childhood teachers and administrators and 557
pre-kindergarten teachers. Among the major findings of the study
are the following: (1) there are wide disparities in qualifications
and compensation for comparable work in different early childhood
settings; (2) director qualifications are related to program quality;
(3) accreditation has a positive impact on overall program quality;
(4) Illinois lacks a coherent system of initial preparation, ongoing
professional development, and career counseling for early childhood
teaching, administrative, and support staff; and (5) many caregivers
operate outside the established early childhood regulatory system
and thus do not have access to technical assistance or professional
training. Based on findings, specific recommendations were devised
for designing and implementing a comprehensive statewide career
development system. (Appendices contain a glossary of relevant terms
and data collection instruments. Contains 80 endnotes.) (KB)
Descriptors: Administrator Qualifications; *Administrators;
Career Development; *Career Ladders; *Child Caregivers; *Day Care;
Day Care Centers; *Early Childhood Education; Educational Quality;
Family Day Care; Preschool Teachers; Teacher Qualifications
Identifiers: Day Care Quality; *Illinois; Project Head Start
