he goal of the Vermont Higher Education Collaborative – Early Childhood & Early Childhood Special Educator (VT-HEC – EC/ECSE) pathway to licensure programs is to increase the number of licensed educators in these fields. These programs are specifically designed to be accessible and affordable for educators who are currently employed on a full-time basis. Courses are provided on-site and online. In order to build a peer support system, these programs use a cohort model.
The Vermont Higher Education Collaborative – Early Childhood & Early Special Educators (VT-HEC-EC/ECSE) program is a multi-tiered set of programs providing a pathway to educator licensure.
Advanced Child Development
Early Childhood (EC) and Early Childhood Special Ed (ECSE) Endorsements
Curriculum Development in Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood (EC) and Early Childhood Special Ed (ECSE) Endorsements
This course has three major areas of focus: (1) historical background and discussion of various approaches to early childhood education, (2) early learning environments for children from infancy to kindergarten age, and (3) developmentally appropriate curriculum and instructional strategies. Students will examine how to design inclusive, safe and engaging physical and social environments that support children’s growth and development, and how we can support children’s learning and development by employing developmentally appropriate curricular design, instructional strategies, and assessment tools and processes.
In this course, students will study various philosophies in early childhood education and articulate their own philosophy of education. Students will learn how to plan curriculum that integrates various disciplines, including the visual arts and creative expression, and that is based on the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS). Strategies for promoting young children’s presocial development and personal responsibility, and for including children of all abilities will be explored.
Investigations in PreK-Grade 3 Science and Social Studies
Early Childhood (EC) Endorsement
This course is required for individuals seeking the Early Childhood Educator endorsement. Students in this class will explore scientific content and concepts, and develop skills in scaffolding children’s scientific thinking and their use of the scientific inquiry process to acquire knowledge of the life, physical, earth, and environmental sciences, a In addition, participants will learn strategies for how to provide children with opportunities for exploration and use of historical, geographical, and social science tools and methods in order for them to learn about and connect with the larger community.
Introduction to Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education
Early Childhood Special Ed (ECSE) Endorsement
This course is designed to provide students interested in obtaining the early childhood special educator endorsement with an introduction to the fields of early intervention (EI) and early childhood special education (ECSE). It will focus on the following topics: historical perspectives of EI/ECSE and theoretical approaches to both; laws and regulations that govern EI and ECSE; professional roles, responsibilities, and ethics; and specific disabilities and their impact on young children’s development. In addition, this course will introduce and provide an overview of the special education evaluation process, eligibility determination, and the development of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP).
Early Language and Literacy Development
Early Childhood (EC) and Early Childhood Special Ed (ECSE) Endorsements
This course focuses on the nature of language development from infancy through grade three. It examines the developmental progression of phonology, semantics, morphology, syntax, and pragmatics as well as various theoretical perspectives on language development. The importance of family and relationships in children’s acquisition of language is a recurring theme. The cultural and linguistic aspects of first and second language acquisition and an overview of communication disorders will be discussed. The connections between oral speech and language skills to early literacy development and later literacy skills acquisition are examined. This includes the topics of phonemic awareness, symbolic representation, and early writing skills. Strategies for creating literate environments and using children’s literature to nurture oral language and literacy development will be explored.
Explorations in PreK-Grade 3 Mathematics
Early Childhood (EC) Endorsements
This course is designed to provide individuals with a deeper understanding of the foundational concepts of number and operations, measurement, geometry and spatial reasoning, examine how children develop these understandings, and explore ways of promoting mathematical reasoning in pre-K through grade three.
Individuals will have the opportunity to develop and implement appropriate assessment and instructional strategies in an early education setting, emphasizing the importance of establishing a culture in which mathematics occurs in relevant, authentic ways where children have the opportunity to reason, examine relationships and communicate their ideas with others.
Assessment in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education
Early Childhood Special Ed (ECSE) Endorsement*
This course is designed to provide individuals seeking the early childhood special educator endorsement with an opportunity to integrate and reflect on theory and practice related to assessment practices with children from birth through age 6. We will examine the philosophical underpinnings and program components of providing federally mandated services to infants/toddlers and young children with diverse abilities and their families. Specifically, we will tackle the evaluation planning process. Individuals will have opportunities to learn various family and child assessment strategies and tools, practice implementing and reporting out a comprehensive evaluation.
Curriculum in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education
Description coming soon…
Teaching Language Arts in PreK-Grade 3
Early Childhood (EC) Endorsement
This course is designed for preschool through grade 3 teachers, Title One teachers, and others, including paraprofessionals who work with young students (PreK-3), and those who are working towards their Early Childhood Educator endorsement. This course will be offered in a hybrid format with three Saturdays and the remaining time online. Students in this learning community are earning 3 credits (45 contact hours) through Lyndon State College.
This course is part of the course of study for teachers earning credits to apply for their endorsement in Early Childhood Education. This course delves into how children construct knowledge about literacy and develop the ability to read and write. It also focuses on how teachers can support the early literacy development of children in preschool, kindergarten and the primary grades by creating literacy rich environments and using developmentally appropriate instruction and assessment strategies.
Collaboration and Consultation in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education
Early Childhood Special Ed (ECSE) Endorsements
Through face to face sessions and online work, this course will focus on the characteristics, processes, and roles associated with effective collaboration, teaming, consultation, facilitation, and communication within family, school, and community systems. We will specifically examine strategies for collaboration and consultation with families of children under the age 6 who have special needs and with the professionals and agencies involved in supporting the family and child.
In addition, we will examine family systems theory, diverse family structures, and the role of the family as the primary context for children’s development. The differences among families due to race, culture, language, poverty, and/or composition will be discussed so that early childhood professionals can understand and come to value each family’s unique strengths.
Tier 1 requires that applicants possess or are eligible for a Vermont educator license.
Tier 2 applicants need to have a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts or a related area and at least three years experience.
Contact the program Coordinator, Manuela Fonseca, at [email protected] to request an application for the program.
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Mailing Address: PO Box 285, Montpelier, VT 05601
Phone: (802) 498-3350
Email: [email protected]
The leadership and staff of the VT-HEC add our voices to the resounding chorus that has risen to express outrage, sadness, anger and dismay at the latest examples of the long-standing and systematic violence inflicted upon people of color. Black Lives Do Matter. Those of us who have benefited from white privilege may struggle to understand what living with this fear and injustice every day entails, and we are humbled by our inability to fully relate to the impact of the systematic deprivation of human rights. What we do clearly recognize is our collective responsibility to confront racism wherever it exists, and to join together to attack it at its foundation.
Over the past few years, the VT-HEC has acted on its responsibility to address inequity in education by dedicating its Mission Investment Fund to offer education opportunities to all those who work to benefit children and youth. We embrace our responsibility to work to ensure that all students receive an equitable education that includes learning about and reducing social injustice, and systemic racism and bias. It is our hope that we can all be responsible for future generations that are more accepting of differences and demonstrate kindness to all.
Click here to read the full statement from VT-HEC’s Executive Director