Early Childhood Education (ECE)
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NECC Early Childhood Program Receives National Designation - (Press Release, October, 2007)
Northern Essex Community College's Early Childhood Education Associate Degree Program has been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Northern Essex is just the second in the state and one of 34 colleges in the country to successfully earn this prestigious accreditation.
The NECC program, which regularly enrolls more than 200 full and part-time students, was recognized for how well it prepares students for teaching in early childhood education centers and for transfer to four-year colleges and universities.
"This accreditation system provides the first-ever national standards by which early childhood associate degree programs can be uniformly measured," said Alison Lutton, director, of the Early Childhood Associate Degree Program at NAEYC. "By earning this distinctive and rigorous mark of quality for its students and faculty, these colleges have elevated the profession and the quality of education in their communities."
Professional early childhood education teachers are among the fastest growing occupational needs in the United States. The association’s Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation system recognizes degree programs at colleges which meet the highest standards for teacher preparation. This designation comes following a year-long self-study by Northern Essex faculty.
Nationally, the accreditation degree program has experienced terrific growth. Since 2005, 140 colleges in 35 states have enrolled in self-study to work toward accreditation.
While many of the Northern Essex Early Childhood Education graduates go on to four-year colleges and universities, some enter the work force immediately upon receiving their associate degrees in early childhood education. Graduates are employed in area pre-schools, public kindergartens, and Head Start programs.
"In this geographic area the Northern Essex’s Early Childhood Education program has a strong reputation," says Gail Feigenbaum, NECC's Early Childhood Education coordinator. "This certainly puts us in the company of high quality programs."
Northern Essex’s associate degree program in Early Childhood Education examines how children grow, develop, and learn through course work and field experience, with the emphasis of study on young children as individuals. An integral part of the program is practicum and field placement. This allows students to apply theory and skills under guidance and supervision in classrooms and educational programs.
