The Training and Certification of Early Childhood Personnel. A Position Paper. Center for Human Services Development Report No. 13

This paper assesses the present state of training, licensing, and certification of early childhood personnel in Pennsylvania. Assessment is based on assumptions requiring conceptualization of (1) certification based on competency or performance, (2) education and training that includes both formal and informal experiences, and (3) planning and evaluation that is centered around the community as well as around an institution or agency. The analysis suggests a confusing and probably unjustifiable multiplicity or requirements and supervising agencies. The requirements were felt to provide insufficient flexibility for (1) vertical and horizontal mobility of personnel; (2) adaptation to a particular employment level, a particular clientele population, and the facility or institution of employment; (3) adaptation for individual differences in personnel; or (4) input from communities. Further, the paper indicates that existing personnel requirements were not based on performance criteria, employment success, or changing times. An alternative competency-based certification procedure is proposed. Guidelines are provided for determining appropriate and relevant competency sources and curricula domains for all levels of training and certification. The schematic framework for developing a total system is also included. (CS)