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Distance Learning Options By State

Comprehensive professional development systems for early and school-age care personnel are accessible and based on a clearly articulated framework; include a continuum of training and ongoing supports; define pathways that are tied to licensure, leading to qualifications and credentials; and address the needs of individual, adult learners. Enhancing a spirit of lifelong learning is one goal of any professional development system. Similar to this goal, a professional development system itself is never a finished product and should continually evolve and be refined to best meet the needs of the population it serves.

Within professional development systems there are several interconnected components. These components fall under five broad elements: (1) core knowledge; (2) access and outreach; (3) qualifications, credentials, and pathways; (4) funding; and (5) quality
assurance. A one-page document developed by NCCIC that outlines and defines this simplified framework is available at http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/goodstart/pd_section2b.html or in PDF at http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/goodstart/pd_section2b.pdf.

Distance learning is a component of the access and outreach element of a professional development system. The following are some examples of States that have distance learning opportunities. These examples do not include all States that offer early childhood distance learning, but are meant to represent a range of approaches States have taken to make training and education accessible to early childhood practitioners. NCCIC does not endorse any organization, publication, or resource.

States With Distance Learning Options for Providers. The following is a sample of States with distance learning options for early childhood practitioners. Each listing includes a brief description and Web links to additional information.

States With Distance Learning Options for Providers

Alaska

  • Child Care Connection Resource and Referral Agency
    http://www.childcareconnection.org

    Child Care Connection offers current and culturally sensitive training. All trainings count toward the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, the Alaska System for Education and Early Development (SEED) program, and State and municipality licensing hours. Several of the trainings count for college credit. Child Care Connection offers several distance delivery training options and is in the process of developing additional training modules. Additional information about professional development and training is available at http://www.childcareconnection.org/cs/cs_ccc_trainings.htm.

  • University of Alaska
    http://ece-distance.alaska.edu

    The University of Alaska offers a distance-delivered Associate’s of Applied Science degree in early childhood education. The program reaches students across the State via audioconference, email, fax, and computer conferencing. The Web site includes information about course schedules and instructors.

California

  • Child Development Training Institute
    http://www.childdevelopment.org/

    The Child Development Training Institute Web site includes a schedule of nontraditional classes and trainings in early childhood education, including online classes. A search engine is available for prospective students to look for online courses in their local areas that are offered for credit or professional development hours. The searchable database
    of course offerings is available at http://www.childdevelopment.org/cs/cdtc/print/htdocs/services_online.htm.

Colorado

  • Colorado Community Colleges Online
    http://www.ccconline.org/

    The Colorado Community Colleges through the CCCOnline program offers coursework for the Group Leader and Director Certificates that lead to the Colorado Early Childhood Professional Credential and School Age/Youth Credentials. The credentials were created by legislation in 2000 and 2005, and meet the specific educational requirements for directors and other staff working in programs licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services. All certification courses are available online and are accepted at most of the State’s community colleges as credit toward a degree. Descriptions of the online courses that meet certificate requirements are available on the CCCOnline Web site at
    http://www.ccconline.org/courses/programs/Education/ECE/. Information about enrolling in and readiness for online coursework is available at http://www.ccconline.org/start.

Illinois

  • Illinois Community Colleges Online (ILCCO)
    http://www.ilcco.net/ILCCO/index.cfm

    ILCCO is a consortium of Illinois community colleges sharing online courses and programs. Students sign up for online courses at their local community colleges and have access to online offerings at other community colleges throughout the State. Students can complete courses, degrees, and certificate programs online. ILCCO allows students to handle registration, financial aid, and transcripts through their local Illinois colleges, regardless of where the courses are offered. Students can search for course offerings by term, course title, key words, course number, and institution at http://www.ilcco.net/ice/courselistview.cfm.

  • Illinois Virtual Campus
    http://www.ivc.illinois.edu

    Illinois Virtual Campus is a service for students across Illinois and around the world. The online catalog lists distance education courses and programs from 72 Illinois colleges and universities. The programs include associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees along with professional certificate programs and continuing education courses.
    The courses are available in a wide variety of subject areas, including all general education required fields. Visitors can conduct searches by keyword, subject area, institution, course title, course level, term, degree, and delivery method.

  • National-Louis University (NLU)
    http://www.nl.edu

    NLU offers an online Masters in Education (M.Ed.) and Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.) in Early Childhood Administration. The degree program is designed for those who have earned a bachelor’s degree and want to assume a leadership position in the field. The course of study includes early childhood curriculum, discipline and guidance, family systems, assessment, financial management, social and cultural diversity, and professional ethics. Completion of the degree also meets the requirements for the Level III Illinois Director Credential. The certificate program is designed for those who have a master’s degree in education or who are early childhood professionals, such as preschool owners, Head Start component coordinators, and consultants.

    Early Childhood Administration is taught using a cohort model consisting of the same group of 12–20 students. NLU graduates report liking the cohort model because of the support and friendships provided by their fellow students throughout the program. Students are required to attend three residencies lasting 4 days each at the beginning,
    middle, and end of the program. The program can also be taken course by course. Additional information about the Early Childhood Administration program is available at http://www.nl.edu/graduate/early_childhood_adm.cfm.

Indiana

  • Childcare Learning
    http://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/6530.htm

    Indiana Family Social Services Administration and its partners host Childcare Learning to provide opportunities to deliver high-quality instruction and certification to child care providers throughout the State. As a potential solution for employed child care providers who find it difficult to find the time and means to attend training, a Web-based learning
    model has been designed to address the needs of providers in areas with limited or no access to ongoing education.

    Ivy Tech State College and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) are collaborating in Childcare Learning to provide current and prospective child care providers an avenue for education and professional recognition of their skills. The five-course online series is designed to prepare working child care providers with the coursework necessary to apply for the CDA credential from the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition. The program consists of the 5 courses (i.e., 15 credits) and does not require students to become degree seeking at either college. Credits transfer easily between the two institutions and may be applied to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Courses start when enrollment meets a minimum number and end when the student has completed the coursework within a maximum 5-month timeframe. Additional information is available at http://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/6516.htm.

Minnesota

  • Eager-to-Learn
    http://www.mnchildcare.org

    Eager-to-Learn is a program of the Minnesota Child Care Resource & Referral Network, which is designed to provide high-quality, affordable educational opportunities using electronic or e-learning technologies and experienced, knowledgeable instructors. The program features information and support for e-learning, a discussion board, and live chats. The goal of the program is to provide a viable alternative for delivering learning experiences in a setting that reduces geographic, economic, and other barriers of traditional professional development. Courses are designed for family child care providers, center staff, and directors. They cover topics such as school-age care, infants and toddlers, special needs, and literacy. Courses can be completed for in-service hours and continuing education units (CEU). For an additional fee, learning can be assessed for
    college credit that applies toward a degree. Additional information about Eager-to-Learn options is available at http://etl.mnchildcare.org.

  • MN SMART
    http://mnsmart.metrostate.edu/index.html

    Five online interactive modules convey a practical understanding of Relationship Based Professional Development (RBPD). The modules are recommended for anyone who may desire a broad understanding about this type of professional development as well as those about to engage in mentoring, coaching, consultation, or technical assistance relationships. The modules include reinforcement questions and a reflection guide. The five module topics are as follows:

    • Introduction to RBPD;
    • Observation and assessment;
    • Goal focused partnerships;
    • Adult learning approaches; and
    • Effective communication.

    The modules and additional information are available at http://mnsmart.metrostate.edu/orientation.html.

Nebraska

  • Nebraska’s Early Childhood Training Center (ECTC)
    http://ectc.nde.ne.gov

    ECTC provides support and training to staff working with young children and their families, and provides families with parenting resources. ECTC’s Media Center provides books, videos, DVDs, and audiotapes that can be used with a self-assessment tool to document training. Information about Media Center resources and the assessment tool are available at http://ectc.nde.ne.gov/mediactr.html.

    ECTC provides video training materials and access to online assessment tools (i.e., the Creative Curriculum®; High/Scope® Curriculum; and Assessment, Evaluation, and Programming System for Infants and Children) used by Results Matter in Nebraska, a child and family outcomes system designed to improve programs and support for young
    children birth to age 5 served by school districts, the Early Development Network, and its partners. Information about training materials and assessments is available at http://ectc.nde.ne.gov/special_projects/results_matter/archive/results_matter2.htm.

    The University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension offers an independent study course for early childhood professionals via the Internet that meets the training requirements for the CDA credential. Information about Nebraska’s training partners is available at http://ectc.nde.ne.gov/partnerships.htm. Information about the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension program is available at http://nerec.unl.edu/cccregistrationdesign207.pdf.

New York

  • New York State Early Childhood Education Online
    http://www.nyseceonline.suny.edu/default.htm

    Several colleges in the State University of New York (SUNY) system offer online early childhood education courses. All courses are credit bearing and taught by college faculty. The Web site includes a listing of all courses by campus, course descriptions, and a sample online course. The site also includes A Guide to Distance Learning: For Early Childhood Students in the SUNY System, which is available at http:/ www.nyseceonline.suny.edu/gdl01.html.

North Carolina

  • North Carolina Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development
    http://www.ncchildcare.org

    The North Carolina Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development Web site provides professional development support and information for staff, administrators, policymakers, and community members. Online self assessment tools are available for each audience under the “Workbooks” heading. In addition, the Education and Compensation section of the site lists various career paths, including degrees and credentials. This section also includes a search engine for online early childhood degrees and certificates. Information about online opportunities is available at http://www.ncchildcare.org/education1.html.

  • Project CONTACT (College Opportunity Networks & Technology Access for Child Care Teachers)
    Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute
    http://www.fpg.unc.edu/

    Project CONTACT is a pilot research and training project designed to develop a model system of delivery and support for early childhood college courses offered on the Internet. This distance learning effort will afford child care teachers with an opportunity to earn college credits from work, home, a college campus, or a community base.
    CONTACT also seeks to build the capacity of the community college system to offer early childhood education to their students at a distance. Free distance learning tools include the following:

    • Quality Tip Sheet – key components to consider when assessing the quality of an Internet offering.
    • Computer Equipment Sources Tip Sheet – a list of sources for free or low-cost computer equipment.
    • Course Quality Rubric – a self- or peer-assessment tool for faculty.

    These tools are available at http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~contact/distancelearningtools.cfm.
  • Virtual Learning Community (VLC)
    North Carolina’s Community College System
    http://vlc.nccommunitycolleges.edu/

    VLC links students and instructors to online courses and resources. Users may search for early childhood courses and find tools to help them with online learning.

North Dakota

  • United Tribes Technical College
    http://www.uttc.edu

    The Online Campus at United Tribes Technical College offers an online degree in early childhood education. Its Web site includes information about technical requirements and a self-assessment to help students determine if online coursework is appropriate for them. Information is available at http://www.uttc.edu/online.

Ohio

  • Early Childhood Learning Community
    http://eclc.uc.edu

    The Early Childhood Learning Community at the University of Cincinnati offers accredited online degrees and courses in early childhood education to students across the country. The community has partnerships and articulation agreements with colleges and universities within and outside of Ohio to assist students in completing degrees. Courses include relevant textbooks and articles, discussion boards, and other interactive Internet-based activities. Associate degree courses are available in English or Spanish. Each course includes a video lecture series. Video and CD/DVD sets of the lecture series are available for those who do not have access to high-speed Internet connections.

Oklahoma

  • CECPD, Oklahoma’s professional development system is funded by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Oklahoma Child Care Services and is administered by the University of Oklahoma's College of Continuing Education. The Oklahoma Early Childhood Professional Development Council serves as an advisory body to the Center and consists of several work groups that provide guidance and assistance for training, director's credential, school-age credential, compensation, articulation career development, model observation sites and literacy.

Oregon

  • Oregon Virtual Degree Program
    http://www.oregon.gov/EMPLOY/CCD/Virtual_Degree_Program.shtml

    The online Two Year Early Childhood Education (ECE) degree also known as “The Virtual Degree” project was designed to encourage family child care providers and others in the child care workforce more access to higher education. Seven community colleges award college credit for Step 7 on the Oregon Registry (CDA level). Southwest Oregon Community College has its entire ECE program online. Scholarships for The Virtual Degree are available through the John and Betty Gray Foundation, administered by the Center for Career Development in Childhood Care and Education at Portland State University. More information is available at http://www.centerline.pdx.edu.

Pennsylvania

  • Better Kid Care
    Pennsylvania State University
    http://betterkidcare.psu.edu/index.html

    Better Kid Care offers a number of trainings that count toward the CDA, in-service hours, CEUs, professional development approved by Keystone Stars, and professional development hours for teachers certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Training modules for family child care providers, center staff, and center administrators are available in a variety of formats, including Web-based, mail-based (video, workbooks, and assignments), and satellite. Materials are available for provides living in and out of State. More information about distance learning options is available on the Better Kid Care Web site at http://betterkidcare.psu.edu/page02a.html.

Wisconsin

  • Wisconsin Training Network (TNet)
    http://www.t-net.org

    TNet and Event Calendar provides information about conferences and local training events; registries for professional administrator and infant and toddler credentials; State and county required entry-level courses; and credit courses. Each section provides a database searchable by training topic, location of training, and, in some cases, training dates. An extensive offering of online courses is available through TNet. To find specific online courses, type “online” in the search engine, and TNet will display all online courses available through the network.
    Visit http://www.t-net.org/html/keysearchframe.asp.

Additional Resources

The following are general resources available to all States. They include online training programs, standards for online teaching, and links to resources for developers, instructors, and users of online learning options.

  • Child Care Resources
    http://www.childcaretraining.org/

    In 2001, Child Care Resources began developing online training units. Child Care Resources’ online courses have been approved in 20 States—Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana,
    Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. The online courses can be applied toward annual training to meet licensing requirements in other States that do not require preapproval of
    training. (The training site is being revised.)

  • ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)
    http://www.cceionline.com

    CCEI has an articulation agreement with Kendall College to offer students the ability to complete the CDA online and pursue a college degree. Completion of all coursework in CCEI's College Credit Eligible CDA articulates to six Kendall College courses. Completion of dual enrollment coursework provides a seamless entry to an online college degree with no additional pre-enrollment requirements (when entering the Kendall College system).

  • Goodwill Industries Global Learning Network
    http://www.gcflearnfree.org

    Goodwill Industries Global Learning Network provides resources for learning computer and Internet skills. Users can enroll in a college or community class and/or access free training and tips on computer software programs. Resources are available in English and Spanish.

  • HeadsUp! Reading
    National Head Start Association (NHSA)
    http://www.huronline.org

    HeadsUp! Reading was developed by NHSA in cooperation with the Council for Professional Recognition and RISE Learning Solutions. It is an early literacy course for educators and parents of young children, focused on strengthening crucial early childhood literacy skills. HeadsUp! Reading delivers research-based education via satellite TV directly to early childhood programs across the United States. Taught by a diverse faculty of experts in early childhood and literacy, the course offers a variety of professional development credits, including CEUs and credits at more than 140 colleges
    nationwide. A component of the course is an interactive Web site that provides a multi- dimensional meeting place for students, faculty, and facilitators to interact and learn more. It supports the 15, 2-hour TV classes by providing additional exercises, content reinforcement, readings, and links to other resources. The site also allows both facilitators and students to access all of the materials needed to complete the course, which are available in English and Spanish.

  • National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
    http://www.ncate.org

    NCATE is an accrediting body for teacher preparation programs and provides an extensive list of links to online courses and resources. These may be accessed at http://www.ncate.org/public/distanceEducation.asp?ch=41.

  • North American Council for Online Learning (NACOL)
    http://www.nacol.org

    NACOL has identified standards for online teaching based on research conducted in 2006 and the Southern Region Educational Board’s Standards for Quality Online Teaching. The National Standards for Quality Online Teaching (n.d.), by NACOL, is available at http://www.nacol.org/nationalstandards/NACOL%20Standards%20Quality%20Online%20Teac hing.pdf.

  • PBS TeacherLine
    http://www.pbs.org/teacherline/

    PBS Teacherline provides standards-based, graduate-level courses to prekindergarten through 12th grade teachers in an accessible online format. Participants can earn graduate credit, professional development hours, or CEUs while gaining strategies and resources to improve classroom practice. The Web site includes the online course listing (i.e., 14 prekindergarten courses, and 75 kindergarten through second grade courses available via a searchable database), peer support and coaching, and a technology certification program. Additional standards-based, multi-media prekindergarten through 12th grade teacher resources are available on the PBS Teachers Web site at http://www.pbs.org/teachers.

  • Teaching Strategies eCDA
    http://www.teachingstrategies.com/page/eCDA.cfm

    Teaching Strategies eCDA is a new online CDA preparation program that engages learners with interactive and thought-provoking scenarios offered through a combination of self-paced and instructor-facilitated learning. Taught by faculty from the Center for Early Childhood Education at Northampton Community College, the eCDA meets CDA credential requirements for 120 clock hours of instruction. Students can also earn up to nine college credits through Northampton Community College toward an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. New cohorts begin each month, and students can choose between two flexible scheduling options.

Updated July 2008

 
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