1. Higher Education Update
Virginia Cross-Sector Professional Development Summit
May 18, 2017
Christine Schull, Northern Virginia Community College
Julie K. Kidd, George Mason University

2. Articulation Transfer Pilot Group
Virginia Early Childhood Articulation Transfer Pilot Group  
GMU, ODU, VCU, JMU, and Longwood
NVCC, TCC, Reynolds, LFCC, and JTCC
SCHEV and VCCS 
The intention is to create several individual agreements as a precursor to a larger template whereupon a student who attains our degree anywhere in the peer group could attend any of the four-years that accept those courses as either a block or course by course. These endeavors are impacted by new VDOE regulations, which are not yet released.
The universities in the transfer pilot have agreed to look at the template provided by Patrick Henry CC and Longwood, with the intention of developing a four-year degree leading to early childhood teaching licensure.
The VCCS institutions in the pilot have agreed to work with the peer group for agreement on the coursework in the first two years.
The Pathways subcommittee tracks these agreements and reports out to the full School Readiness Committee.
Christine

3. BEGINS FALL 2018 NEW AAS
Step VI

4. Differences Between the Old and New AAS
DELETE
CHD 119
CHD 215
CST 100
CHD 298
ADD
EDU 200 (BETWEEN CHD 165 AND CHD 265)
BIO 101
DESIGNATED:
MTH 154 OR 151 (NOT ANY MATH OR LAB SCIENCE)
SOCIAL SCIENCE ELECTIVES: HIS 121 OR HIS 122
HUMANITIES ELECTIVES: ENG 250 OR ENG 241 OR ENG 242
PSY 230 (NOT 235 OR 231)

5. Old AAS Versus New AAS? Most CHD coursework remains the same
The stackability of the CSCs into the 31 credit certificate and the 31 credit certificate into the degree remain the same
The new degree has fewer credits and creates a better pathway for transfer later on
The old degree has a requirement for Math or Lab Science, not both.
If you have taken CHD 119, CHD 215, CST 100, and Social Science or Humanities electives that are different than the designated courses, it might be more efficient to graduate out of the old degree
You can graduate out of the old degree for seven years past your catalogue placement

6. Why did the degree change?
Increasing calls for enhancing EC educator competencies in the areas that early childhood educators identify as important
A seminal report, “Transforming the Workforce Birth to Eight” released by the National Academy of Medicine in April 2015, called for better educational pathways and increased educational attainment
Virginia’s State School Readiness Committee called for more agreements between Virginia’s Early Childhood Programs at the two- and four-year levels
The entire Virginia Community College system agreed to adopt the new degree

7. Focus of Virginia Universities GMU, JMU, Longwood, ODU, VCU
Goal
Prepare early childhood educators who provide high-quality, evidence-based care and education for diverse young children and their families
Initial Outcomes
Create seamless pathways from VCSS into Virginia 4-year institutions
Develop articulation agreements between VCSS and Virginia 4-year institutions
Create and offer undergraduate degree options pending Virginia approval

8. Undergraduate Degree Options at Mason
Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS)
With a concentration in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS)
Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS)
with a concentration in Child Development, Education, and Services (CDES)
Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Studies (BAIS)
with a concentration in Liberal Arts for the Teaching Professions (LATP)
Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS)
with a concentration in Early Childhood Education Studies (ECES)
or Individualized concentration (IND)
Other

9. Early Childhood Educator Options at Mason
Undergraduate coursework with BA, BAS, BAIS, or BIS degree
Undergraduate Licensure Certificates – Pending SHEV and VDOE approval
Early Childhood Education PK-3 (EPK3)
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
Bachelor’s Accelerated Master’s Degrees
Bachelor’s to MED in Curriculum and Instruction – Early Childhood Education for Diverse Learners (ECDL)
Bachelor’s to MED in Special Education – Early Childhood Special Education (SPEC)
Master’s Degrees
MED in Curriculum and Instruction – Early Childhood Education for Diverse Learners (ECDL)
MED in Special Education – Early Childhood Special Education (SPEC)
Graduate Licensure Certificates
PhD in Education
with a specialization in Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education

10. Next Steps Develop and refine undergraduate experiences
Work with community, school, and university partners and stakeholders
with support of College of Education and Human Development Academic Innovation Grant
Develop and enhance online learning formats
with support of Mason 4-VA Grant
Develop undergraduate advising and mentoring model
Continue to offer and refine graduate options
Respond to proposed changes to Virginia licensure regulations once finalized and approved