Program Review
In July 2020, CEC approved the first stand-alone set of EI/ECSE professional standards - The Initial Practice-Based Professional Standards for Early Interventionists/Early Childhood Special Educators 2020 The standards can be used to advocate for changes to state licensure policy, to develop educator preparation curriculum, to develop professional learning opportunities, and to prepare for CAEP/SPA program review submission. The DEC is creating resources for supporting educator preparation programs in the review process.
The EI/ECSE Standards (2020)
The Standards build on the history of EI/ECSE as an integrative but unique field of study, policy, research, and practice and emphasize the unique skills and knowledge required for specialization in working with young children and their families.
In the event an initial program prepares P-12 Educators, a program will use the following criteria to determine which set of initial standards are applicable:
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If the program prepares Birth through 8 years – use the EI/ECSE standards
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If the program prepares Pre-K through 12 (or some grade) – use EI/ECSE for the 3-8 portion of the program
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If the program prepares Birth-5 years or KG – use the EI/ECSE Standards
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If the program prepares K-12 or K-12+ – use the Initial K12 Special Educator Standards
ECSE programs that do not fully address B-8:
The EI/ECSE Standards are written to address children from birth to age 8—usually seen as three age groups
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Birth to age 3
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Ages 3 through 5
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Grades K through 3
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If a program does not include all three age ranges, assessments only focus on the age ranges covered by the license.
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Clinical experiences should take place in the same age ranges covered by the license. If the license covers all three age ranges, the program must provide clinical experiences in at least two of the three age ranges and a field experience in the third age range.
Partner Resource
Resources
Download
CAEP/CEC and State Program Reviews: What Do We Have? What Do You Need?
Jennifer Buchter, Megan Purcell, Margie Crutchfield, Beth Pinheiro, and Michelle Sands (9/2022)
Download
EI/ECSE Standards: Preparing for Program Review
Margie Crutchfield, Eva Horn, and Vicki Stayton (3/2021)
Potential Sources of Evidence for Candidate Performance for Each of the EI/ECSE Standard Components
(previously titled EI/ECSE Standards and Sources of Evidence for Candidate Performance) - The CEC EI/ECSE Preparation Standards were developed so that they could be assessed using six to eight assessments consistent with requirements for SPA Program Review Option A with National Recognition. This table provides examples of sources of assessment evidence for the components of each of the seven EI/ECSE content standards.
CEC/DEC EI/ECSE Candidate Performance Rubrics - This rubric is used by CEC/DEC EI/ECSE program reviewers to determine whether the content of the program’s assessments is sufficient to ensure that candidates meet each EI/ECSE standard. The content of all assessments cited as evidence for a standard must, taken as a whole, demonstrate that candidates have mastered the standard. Both in-service professional development and pre-service preparation programs can use these rubrics to assess candidates in ways that align with the EI/ECSE standards, whether or not they are pursuing CAEP accreditation.
Crosswalk of Standards and Assessments - The matrix demonstrates a crosswalk between the EI/ECSE Standards and the CAEP national SPA program review structure of 6 – 8 key assessments. Each X in the matrix represents a potential primary source of direct assessment evidence of candidate ability to meet the Standard component.
Performance Indicators - This document provides concrete examples of learning activities that learners can engage in to gain the knowledge and skills represented by the EI/ECSE standards. Performance indicators may be used to develop courses and curriculum, plan learning activities and assessments, and determine activities for learners to observe or engage in during field experiences and ongoing professional development activities.
edTPA Special Education Alignment to EI/ECSE Standards (9/2022) - The Alignment of the 2020 DEC EI/ECSE Preparation Standards and Components with the edTPA Special Education rubrics (9/2022)
edTPA Early Childhood alignment of the EI/ECSE Standards (10/2022) - The Alignment of the 2020 DEC
EI/ECSE Preparation Standards and Components with the edTPA Early Childhood rubrics (10/2022)
CEC EI/ECSE Candidate Performance Rubrics - This rubric is used by CEC EI/ECSE program reviewers to determine whether the content of the program’s assessments is sufficient to ensure that candidates meet each EI/ECSE standard. The content of all assessments cited as evidence for a standard must, taken as a whole, demonstrate that candidates have mastered the standard. Both in-service professional development and pre-service preparation programs can use these rubrics to assess candidates in ways that align with the EI/ECSE standards, whether or not they are pursuing CAEP accreditation.
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) - information about the overarching professional organization that provides the most current information about government policies, professional standards, professional development, and other resources for special educators.
Other Resources for Program Review:
Early Childhood Personnel Center (ECPC) – ECPC has created course development, curriculum, and assessment development resources that are aligned to the EI/ECSE Standards
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Program Review and Recognition webpage – includes many resources to help programs prepare for program review. Some of these are specific to K-12 programs but many of them are also appropriate for EI/ECSE programs.
Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) – CAEP has multiple resources for all SPA programs. These include blank program review forms, SPA Standards, contact information for SPAs, due dates and timelines for program submission and information on how to use their on-line program review process (called AIMS).
Interested in Being a Program Reviewer?
CEC is always seeking qualified professionals to act as EI/ECSE program reviewers. If you are interested, please visit CEC's Volunteer Program Reviewer Resources webpage and complete the online application.
Program Review Committee
The Program Review Committee assists DEC by creating resources for supporting educator preparation programs in the review process. Learn more here >