Resources
This page houses resources developed by the Commission, Commission member organizations, and other national partners to support the implementation of the Unifying Framework for the Early Childhood Education Profession. As the Commission evolves, it will continue to add resources to this page.
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Guiding Principles for Licensure Assessment
The Commission will use these core principles to guide its deliberations about adopting existing and/or creating new licensure assessments for the ECE I, II and III designations
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Summary of ECE Professional Licensure Legislation
This is a high-level overview of the model state legislation and regulations that support states in implementing the professional licensure system articulated in the Unifying Framework.
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FAQ on Aligning to the Unifying Framework
This provides answers to frequently asked questions about how the components of the ECE system (e.g., practitioners, employers, professional preparation programs, states) can take steps toward aligning to the Unifying Framework.
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Work in Progress: Intentional Pursuit of Early Childhood Education Excellence
A perspectives column in the Zero to Three Journal about centering the profession’s work on the recommendations in the Unifying Framework.
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Compilation of ECE Workforce Compensation Resources
This includes recent resources from multiple organizations focused on strategies to advance compensation for the ECE workforce.
Compensation
Compilation of Compensation Resources 2024, NAEYC
Improving Child Care Compensation Backgrounder 2021, BUILD Initiative
Bold on Early Educator Compensation Learning Community 2022: Lessons from State Actions, Center for Study on Child Care Employment
Supporting Early Educator Compensation Through Strong Data Collection, Center for Study on Child Care Employment
Quality Jobs, Quality Child Care: The case for a well-paid, diverse early education workforce, The Century Foundation
Compensation Matters Most, National Association for the Education of Young Children
9 Ways to Make Educator Pay and Benefits Competitive, National Education Association
In Pursuit of Equitable Compensation for the Early Childhood Workforce: Profiles & Lessons from the Field, Start Early
A Look at Salary/Wage Scales for the Early Childhood Educator Workforce, Child Care Services Association, T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood National Center
Using Contracts to Support the Child Care Workforce, Urban Institute
Educator Qualifications, Early Childhood Educator Standards & Regulations
Creating Equity for and within the Early Childhood Workforce, Child Care Services Association, T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood National Center
Increasing Qualifications, Centering Equity: Experiences and Advice from Early Childhood Educators of Color, National Association for the Education of Young Children
Deregulation Won’t Solve Child Care . . . But It Will Decrease Safety and Supply, National Association for the Education of Young Children
Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators, National Association for the Education of Young Children
Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education Standards, Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children
It's Not Babysitting: See ECE Teachers in Action, New America
The Impact of Race, Culture, and Language on the Leadership Journeys of ECEC Leaders of Color, McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership
State Policy & Strategies
The Early Educator Workforce Crisis: How Legislators Can Make a Difference for Kids, Families, and Educators, Center for the Study of Child Care Employment
State Solutions for the Child Care Workforce Crisis, Early Care and Education Consortium
Solutions to Achieve a More Equitable and Sustainable Early Care and Education System, Early Care and Education Consortium
Analysis: Majority of Governors Highlight Child Care As Key to Workforce Growth, First Five Years Fund
Deregulation Won’t Solve Child Care . . . But It Will Decrease Safety and Supply, National Association for the Education of Young Children
Strengthening Systems Toolkits: Strategies for Transforming Early Care and Education, National Indian Child Care Association
Preparation Pathways & Higher Education
Affordability, Accessibility, Support and Compensation: Higher Education and the Early Childhood Workforce, Child Care Services Association, T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood National Center
Career Pathways: Supporting Early Childhood Educators, Child Care Services Association, T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood National Center
Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship Program: A Pathway to Build Competencies and Pay, Child Care Services Association, T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood National Center
The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Scholarship Program: Moving the needle on student success for the past 30+ years, Child Care Services Association, T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood National Center
The CDA® Credential Provides High School Students a Career and Higher Education Pathway, Council on Professional Recognition
A Brighter Future Through Credit for Prior Learning, Council on Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL)
Ensuring Quality in Early Childhood Education Professional Preparation Programs: NAEYC’s Early Childhood Higher Education Accreditation Standards, National Association for the Education of Young Children
Preparing a Profession: Perspectives of Higher Education Leaders on the Future of the Early Childhood Education Workforce, National Association for the Education of Young Children
Early Childhood Education Preparation Programs: Program Designs & Practices to Support Candidate Learning & Success, National Association for the Education of Young Children
Struggles, Successes and Silver Linings: The Impact of the Pandemic on ECE Higher Education Programs, National Association for the Education of Young Children
Loan Forgiveness Programs for Early Childhood Educators, NAEYC
Supporting Early Educator Degree Attainment, New America
Early Childhood Landscape, Workforce Data
Early Childhood Workforce Index State Profiles 2020, Center for the Study of Child Care Employment
Racial Wage Gaps in Early Education Employment, Center for the Study of Child Care Employment
2022 Child Care & Early Learning State Fact Sheets, First Five Years Fund
L.E.A.D. Early Childhood Clearinghouse, McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership
Family Child Care Research & Data, National Association for Family Child Care
NAEYC ECE Field Surveys, National Association for the Education of Young Children
Educator Pay Data, National Education Association
Confronting Head Start’s Workforce Crisis, National Head Start Association
2021 Alliance Longitudinal Workforce Report, The National Workforce Registry Alliance
Powerful ECE Registry Data is Key to Informing Workforce Compensation Policy and Strategies, The National Workforce Registry Alliance
Learn More About the Legislation
Access to the full model legislation is intended for advocates and policymakers that have identified opportunities to advance the Unifying Framework through legislative or regulatory pathways in their state. Click on the button to request access to the Professional Licensure Legislation and Regulations. A subcommittee of the Commission will review the request and follow up with you.
