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In week two of our "Spotlight on Education Excellence," we examine Early Childhood Education. Click here for more information about our Early Childhood Education programs and policies.
Hispanics account for an increasingly large population in the United States, but our unequal access to and enrollment in quality education leads to a disproportionate achievement gap. This gap is especially apparent when it comes to early childhood education (ECE). Although Latino children make up the majority of children under the age of five, they continue to have a lower enrollment in ECE programs. In 2009, only 50% of Hispanics under five were enrolled in a center-based program, compared to 60% of White and 62% of Black children. A low enrollment in high-quality ECE programs is even greater for young Latinos living in poverty. Our country’s future economic growth depends on providing an education for this emerging group.
Recognizing the need for programs to develop children’s education readiness skills, and cultivate their culture and language, NCLR developed the Core Qualities for Successful Early Childhood Education (ECE) Programs. After extensive meetings and planning sessions with a team of ECE researchers, specialists, and practitioners, NCLR researchers created this tool kit to provide an overview of the system and a best practices guide to offering culturally appropriate services for Latino and dual language learner (DLL) children. This resource will benefit children and families, as well as the programs that serve them and the communities in which they live. The Core Qualities focus on eight areas:
• High expectations and high supports
• Collaborative leadership
• Cultural competence
• Bilingualism and biliteracy
• Sustained meaningful relationships
• Family engagement and community collaboration
• Continuous performance-based assessments
• Relationships with institutions of higher education
This tool kit addresses quality in program services to remedy the cultural and academic disconnect that many Latino children and families experience when transitioning into kindergarten or public schools. NCLR is committed to an accountability system that strengthens its ECE model and contributes to the field’s understanding of the issues specific to Latino and DLL children and families. Core Qualities is a valuable resource for the Latino community that will help bridge the gap between education and the incorporation of language and culture for programs serving young Latino children.