Indicator: 27 - Teacher With Early Childhood Certification
Why This Is Important
Having a strong background in early childhood education may help
elementary teachers in the primary grades plan and adjust their
instruction to their learners' needs. School boards and administrators
that support professional development efforts and hiring criteria
that encourage more elementary-level teachers to have this special
level of certification are demonstrating a way to make schools readier
for children.
Where We Stand
Teachers who hold Early Childhood Education Certificates have completed
coursework and training specific to the developmental needs of young
children (ages 0-8). While 114 Maine teachers have this certification
in the 2001-2002 school year, this is only 1% of the 11,450 public
and private elementary school classroom teachers in Maine. Furthermore,
of those individuals that now hold such a certificate, only 55 are
employed in a school setting.
Data Sources and Context
The data source is the Division of Certification, Maine Department
of Education, 2002.
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