The evolving identity of blended early childhood preparation: a retrospective history

Spurred by the 1986 IDEA reauthorization, the movement toward collaborative, or blended, preservice early childhood personnel preparation now spans an impressive 30-year history. In this paper, we trace the evolution of blended preparation by applying a conceptual framework that situates the development of blended program identity within a socio-cultural context over time. In detailing the events of the past 30 years, we provide a historical perspective of the blended approach in practice by highlighting key aspects of the historical and emerging literature base. We argue that just as contextual circumstances served as a catalyst to the initiation of the blended movement, the contemporary socio-cultural context, particularly the onset of the groundbreaking 2020 EI/ECSE Personnel Preparation Standards coupled with the 2020 ECE Standards, provides an exciting new catalyst with the potential to reinvigorate the blended preparation movement now and in the future. We conclude with recommendations based on lessons learned from this history to support the continuation and evolution of the blended preparation approach.