Trainers, faculty, professoinal development providers and instructors are all adult educators. Adult educators may provide learning opportunities for college credits, contact hours or continuing education units (CEUs).
HistoryResearch has shown that the application of what is learned in a training session is supported when participants are self-directed learners, content is grounded in their experience and sessions allow participants to learn new information, apply it, reflect on using it and then gain feedback to further inform practice. One-hour workshop formats are not able to provide the depth needed to support adult learners making the critical connection between what is learned and application in the early care and education setting. In 2008, the NC Institute for Child Development Professionals (Institute) implemented an individual certification for early educators working directly with or on the behalf of children ages birth to twelve. Early Educator Certification (EEC) is an educational assessment based on a standardized scale of levels, based on formal education benchmarks. EEC requires that certified early educators earn continuing education units (CEUs), college credits or a combination of credits to remain certified for a period of three or five years. The validity period is based on the individual’s education level. As of December 2011, over 20,000 early educators or half of the teaching workforce, are certified. To support the advancement of the state’s early childhood professional development system to be inclusive of in-depth trainings that are structured to impact practice, North Carolina’s early childhood partners have worked together to lay the foundation for a professional development system inclusive of CEUs. The Institute is working with its partners and the provider community to share the why — research about continuing education and what matters for early educators, the how — strategies for aligning and integrating CEUs into existing and tandem systems and tools which support individuals building high quality CEU sessions will be provided to participants using a lecture style approach,, and the who — information about North Carolina’s Adult Educator Endorsement process for those interested in providing CEUs for EEC renewal. CEU Development Training for Adult Educators Train-the-trainer sessions will be provided online throughout the year to increase the supply of high quality CEUs available for certified Early Educators. Click here to learn more. Evidence Base for CEUs
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Adult Educator EndorsementThe Adult Educator Endorsement (AEE) represents the field’s guidelines for adult educators providing EEC renewal options in CEU form. The AEE is based on systems of qualification for trainers in other state early childhood professional development systems and systems of continuing education in North Carolina. The fee for submitting an AEE application (if already certified) is $15. Download application for fee information. See below for alignment with DCDEE in-service training hour approval process. Applicants who are on the DCDEE’s Excluded Trainers’ List are not eligible to be endorsed by the Institute. Looking for an endorsed Adult Educator?
Adult Educator Endorsement Renewal Adult Educators are required to submit a sample of two courses (workshops, CEU sessions and/or credit-bearing classes) taught within the EEC validity period, which could be five years or less, dependent upon individual EEC renewal dates. The following must be submitted for each course within 60 days of its completion: a) course title, date, time, place, method and desired learning outcomes; b) sample certificate and agenda: c) session attendee list with names and email addresses to use for follow-up surveys. More details about AEE renewal are shared in individual award letters that are enclosed in the certificate mailing. Policy Regarding Use of Your Teaching License A teaching license can be submitted to EEC as education documentation instead of an official transcript as long as the copy provided includes both sides (front and back) of the license. Random checks will be completed to verify the validity of the license. Education obtained through the BK (SPI or SPII) or Preschool Add-on license process will be evaluated as level 11 or higher on the ECE scale. The license will be seen as equivalent to having earned at least 18 birth to five focused semester hours. Those working with school age children who have the BK (SPI or SPII) or Preschool Add-on license will be equivalent to level 8 on the school age scale, but may earn a higher level with the submission of an official transcript where courses can be evaluated. Without an official transcript, those with a BK lateral entry license will be assessed as level 8 on the ECE scale or the SA scale depending on the ages with which they work. An official transcript may show additional hours that will count toward a higher level on either scale. Applicants who submit a K-6 or Exceptional Children K-12 license will be level 8 on the ECE scale, but those working with school age children will be certified at level 11 or higher on the school age scale. Please note that those with school age related licenses who work with children ages birth to five may earn a higher certification level by submitting official transcripts. Tips to Support Your AEE Application
CEUs for Adult Educators Sample Sources
Seeking CEU Content Approval The endorsement of an Adult Educator by the Institute and/or the development of a CEU does not automatically guarantee an approving body will provide CEUs for the content. It is strongly advised that CEU developers first check with an approving body from which you will seek CEU approval prior to development of a CEU to ensure alignment of content with the approving body’s respective requirements. Visit the Continuing Education, CEU Guidelines & Documents section to learn more. Recognized bodies that are eligible to grant CEUs for EEC renewal include regionally accredited colleges and universities, LEAs and bodies approved by IACET. Entities may choose to provide CEUs for a session and/or hire adult educators who meet their required criteria, often reflective of the field’s guidelines (Adult Educator Endorsement) to provide a CEU session as the content expert.
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