A.A. - Associate of Arts degree. A degree earned at a two-year institution with the intent of articulating to a four-year institution generally requiring 60 to 70 college credit hours. Missouri has an established “Core General Education” block of 42 credits that is generally accepted from this degree into the four-year degree. This degree often includes supervised field work in the area of study chosen. A student should contact an advisor about the specific credit hours that will transfer to a four-year degree.
A.A.S. - Associate of Applied Science degree. A degree earned at a two-year institution which provides career intensive education to enter the workforce upon completion generally requiring 60 to 70 college credit hours. Many colleges are forming articulation agreements to facilitate later transfer of credits from this degree into a four-year degree. However, it is unlikely all credits will transfer. With less of a focus on general education courses, the majority of the classes taken are in the desired field of study.
A.S. – Associate of Science degree. A degree available at some two-year colleges generally consisting of 30 college credit hours in general education and about 40 hours of classes related to early childhood education. Many colleges are forming articulation agreements to facilitate later transfer of credits from this degree into a four-year degree. However, it is unlikely all credits will transfer.
A.A.T. – Associate of Arts in Teaching degree. A two-year transfer degree designed to introduce students to the profession of teaching and to maximize the hours taken at the two-year institution. Offered at Missouri community colleges, this degree consists of 67% general education & 33% teacher education credits. With more general education, the degree was designed to transfer to a Bachelors of education more easily.
Accreditation – Most often voluntary, accreditation systems in early childhood have been developed to help raise the quality of care provided to children and families. Accrediting bodies exist at both state and national levels and focus on meeting a set of standards linked to quality care and education for young children.
Accredited - A college or degree program that undergoes regular, rigorous review by one of a network of regional accrediting boards. A degree from an accredited college is recognized nationally. It is very important to check the accreditation of a college before enrolling. Many correspondence and on-line courses are not universally recognized, although they may claim to be accredited “for distance learning.”
Advisor - Advisor has two different meanings:
1. For CDA candidates, the advisor is the person who will complete the Observation Assessment at your facility. She/he may or may not have been involved with your educational experience.
2. For college students, the advisor is the person who will help you plan your program of study to best meet your current and future goals. She/he also must sign your enrollment form before registration each semester.
Articulation - A joining together of college credit hours taken at different educational institutions according to a pre-existing agreement between the two institutions. Articulation agreements are most commonly found between two and four year colleges and universities. Not all schools have articulation agreements so not all college credits will transfer between schools. Secondary career and technical programs articulate credits to A.A.S. and A.S. degrees only.
ASSET® - The ASSET® program is a series of short placement tests developed by ACT that lets you and
your school work together to help you succeed in your educational program. ASSET helps you
identify your strengths as well as the knowledge and skills you will need in order to succeed in specific
subject areas. ASSET also helps your school use this information to guide you toward classes that
strengthen and build logically upon your current knowledge and skills. This is the English and math placement test most commonly used by Missouri community colleges
Association for the Education of Young Children of Missouri (AEYC-MO) - was established as a state affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in the 1960s. Serving those who work with and on behalf of young children, AEYC-MO was an all-volunteer organization until September 1999. For 40 years, AEYC-MO has provided access to resources, advocacy information, and professional development opportunities to its members. Additionally, it has served as a communications link among local AEYC affiliates in Missouri, and between these affiliates and Midwest and National AEYC. Our mission: AEYC-MO, an organization for early childhood professionals, fosters excellence in early childhood systems and programs through advocacy, education, and professional development. (aeyc-mo.org)
B.A. - Bachelor of Arts degree
B.S. - Bachelor of Science degree
B.Ed. - Bachelor of Education degree
A four-year degree awarded by a college or university usually requiring 120 college credit hours. The amount of general education, field related and elective credit hours required varies by the college or university you attend. While each degree is a Bachelor’s, not all lead to the same end. Ask your college or university advisor about which degree is best for your future plans. You may want a four year degree to work in education but not necessarily teach in a public school. These Bachelor degrees often have titles such as Human Development, Family Life or Child/Family Studies. If you want to earn state teacher certification so you can teach in the public school system, you will want to state this from the start. This course of classes will lead you to take the state exam for teacher certification. Not all colleges and universities offer Bachelor degrees in early childhood. Many will offer elementary degrees with an early childhood emphasis, focus or endorsement. This is why it is always important to talk to an advisor before starting your college courses.
CCOT - Child Care Orientation Training - Developed by the Department of Health and Senior Services with input and assistance from experts across the state, CCOT curriculum focuses on the following three components:
• CCOT : Developmentally Appropriate Practices I: Child Development,
• CCOT: Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect, and
• CCOT: Health, Environmental Safety, and Sanitation.
Instructors devote three hours to each of the three sections. Basic CCOT provides a wonderful opportunity for directors to ensure that staff members have the occasion to gather the basic knowledge needed to keep children safe and healthy.
Infant/Toddler Child Care Orientation Training (I/TCCOT)
I/T CCOT is designed specifically for providers caring for children from birth through age three. The six-hour class builds upon the basic information obtained in the Basic Child Care Orientation Training.
School-Age Care Orientation Training (SA COT)
Developed with funding from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, SA COT provides the foundation for caregivers of school-age children. This six-hour training provides participants with a basic knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices, health and safety, scheduling, activities, parent involvement, environments, and more.
Family Care Orientation Training
Family Child Care Orientation Training also builds upon the knowledge gained in Basic CCOT. This six-hour training explores the benefits and challenges of home-based care and working with multi-age groups. (moccrrn.org)
CDA – National Child Development Associate Credential - A nationally recognized credential that acknowledges the beginning professional’s basic competence in child care and education. To apply for the credential, a candidate must have worked in an approved early childhood program at least 480 hours, attended 120 clock hours of approved training (or earned 9 college credits in early childhood), compiled a resource file exemplifying best practices and been formally assessed through observation of their work. The CDA Credential is not awarded by career/technical training programs or two-year colleges but through the National Council for Professional Recognition in Washington DC. It must be renewed through continuing education after three years and then every five years. (cdacouncil.org)
CEU - Continuing Education Unit One CEU requires ten hours of class contact with an instructor. Often there are additional outside assignments to be completed. An agency follows criteria set forth by the International Association for Continuing Education Training to establish CEU’s. Some colleges may convert CEU’s into college credits. However, this does not seem to be common in Missouri.
Career Lattice – Missouri’s Career Lattice is a tool to recognize the progression of formal education and credentials within the fields of early childhood, school-age/after-school and youth development. Career lattice levels range from Level 1 (high school) through Level 5 (graduate degree) and are subdivided based on the number of approved credit hours (a, b, and c).
Career or Technical Degree - Terms often applied to an A.A.S. because of the emphasis on career training and education.
Center-based Child Care - A center provides care for children in a building other than a home setting. Centers are licensed, unless run by a church or operating as a part-time nursery school, and must follow rules for safety and health, nutrition, staff to child ratio, child to room ratios, and the training of caregivers. Centers have set schedules for taking care of children and may run full and part day programs. Centers can serve children from six weeks old through school-age. A child care center may be for-profit, non-profit, privately run or funded by the federal government, such as Head Start, or a community organization, such as YMCA or YWCA. Centers can be licensed for 20, 60, 99 or 100 and more children.
Certificate - As it pertains to education in the state of Missouri: A document granted by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to an individual who has met the rigorous educational, practical experience and testing requirements to teach in the public school system in Missouri. Some Community Colleges also use the term “certificate” to refer to documentation of a prescribed course of study that is more limited in scope and credits than a degree and does not certify one to teach at the public school level. This is often called a certificate of proficiency.
Child Care Plus – Child Care Plus is a twelve-module series designed to enhance child care providers’ abilities to meet young children’s individual needs. Throughout the course, providers have opportunities to brainstorm ideas and problem-solve solutions to challenges. The entire series totals 18 clock hours.
- Module I: Introduction to Inclusion (1.5 hours)
- Module II: Recognizing Young Children’s Strengths and Needs (1.5 hours)
- Module III: Creating an Accessible Environment ( 1.5 hours)
- Module IV: Building Partnerships with Parents and Families (1.5 hours)
- Module V: Being Part of a Team (2 hours)
- Module VI: Maintaining a Safe and Healthy Environment (1 hour)
- Module VII: Arranging the Environment for Learning (1.5 hours)
- Module VIII: Increasing the Playability of Toys and Play Materials (1.5 hours)
- Module IX: Guiding the Behavior of Young Children (2 hours)
- Module X: Facilitating Young Children’s Communication (2 hours)
- Module XI: Positioning Young Children (1.5 hour)
- Module XII: Inclusion and Beyond (.5 hour)
(moccrrn.org)
Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (CCR&R) – Located across Missouri, local CCR&R agencies help families find child care, provide families with consumer education, and provide training and technical assistance to child care providers. Each CCR&R agency in Missouri also has staff that helps families find inclusive child care programs and help providers create inclusive child care programs to meet the needs of child and family. (moccrrn.org)
Clock Hour - One hour of contact with an instructor equals one clock hour of training.
College Basic Academic Subjects Examination (CBASE) - An assessment of students' accomplishments in "general education." General education refers to the knowledge and skills expected of most college graduates regardless of their major. The content of the test focuses on English, mathematics, science, and social studies. In addition, the exam assesses your reasoning skills--i.e., ability to interpret and analyze information and to develop reasonable conclusions or hypotheses. Completion of the CBASE is a graduation requirement for all baccalaureate degrees. Students are eligible to take the test when they have completed at least 96 hours. The state does not require the CBASE for individuals who are seeking professional certification and already have a baccalaureate degree. A student must achieve a minimum score of 235 on each component of the CBASE in order to qualify for admission into an undergraduate professional education program. Students who do not achieve a passing score on any component(s) of the examination may retake the component(s) as many times as necessary within a period of two years from the initial administration.
Community College - A post-secondary educational institution that awards an Associate’s degree upon completion of a program of study of 60 to 70 credit hours. Traditionally, the Community College provides support and remediation (a slower-paced foundation of courses) to prepare for continued study at a four-year institution; specific job training; updates and improves basic skills; more flexible scheduling options for the non-traditional student who is already working in the field and attending college part-time; and a lower cost education that is especially important to the student who may need extra classes to meet basic skills.
COMPASS™ - The COMPASS™ system is a comprehensive computer-adaptive testing system that helps place students into appropriate courses and maximizes the information postsecondary schools need to ensure student success. COMPASS offers placement and diagnostic testing in mathematics, reading, and writing—and now includes placement testing for English as a Second Language (ESL) students. ACT has combined into one complete package the COMPASS and ESL measures and advising, course placement, and retention services. This is a commonly used placement testing system in Missouri community colleges. COMPASS e-Write 2-8 and COMPASS e-Write 2-12 are direct writing assessments used to evaluate student writing samples using cutting-edge electronic scoring technology. Delivered via the Internet, COMPASS e-Write scores are returned immediately following submission.
Conference - A meeting in which people with a common interest participate in discussions, lectures, seminars, and workshops to obtain and exchange information related to a specific topic. Conferences can also last more than one day and are held at local, state and national levels.
Consultation - Consultation is a meeting with an expert in a particular field of study to obtain advice or guidance and/or exchange ideas. Consultations do not qualify as clock hours for a CDA according to the Council for Professional Recognition but may for licensing regulations in Missouri.
Continuing Education – Usually refers to post-secondary education frequently involving enrollment in college/university credit courses often offered through a division or school of continuing education sometimes known as the university extension. Continuing education can also mean enrollment in non-credit courses, often taken for personal, non-vocational enrichment. At times, continuing education is required in a licensed profession in order for the professional to maintain a license.
Core Competencies (Kansas & Missouri Core Competencies for Early Care & Education Professionals) – The Core Competencies define what professionals need to know and do to provide quality early care and education. They serve as the foundation for decisions and practices carried out by professionals in all settings and programs and help establish a set of standards for early care and education that support the building of professionalism in the field. (openinitiative.org/pdfs/Core%20Competencies/CoreCompetencies.pdf)
Course - Several educational sessions over a period of time that provide for in-depth study of a topic. These may be associated with college credit but it is not mandatory when calling sessions a course.
Credential – A general term referring to a large category of degrees and certificates earned by professionals. As it pertains to Early Care and Education professionals in the state of Missouri: A document that certifies a person’s competence and experience that qualifies her/him to work with children in an early childhood group setting.
Credit-by-credential - College credits granted for a non-credit bearing credential after it has been earned. Usually there are other requirements that must be met, such as successful completion of other classes in the same field, before credit-by-credential is awarded by a college. Credit-by-credential is the process often associated with community colleges in reviewing possible credit for Child Development Associate credentials earned outside the college system.
Credit Hour or Credit – Offered through accredited colleges, one college credit hour requires 15 hours of contact with the instructor and additional outside work. Most college courses are worth two to four credit hours. Generally, a class will meet for the number of hours equivalent to the credits each week for eight to sixteen weeks (e.g., a 2-credit hour course would meet two hours per week for sixteen weeks).
Curriculum – An overall plan for a specified period of time that defines what is important to learn (goals and objectives), how it can best be learned (strategies and materials) and when it is most appropriately learned (developmentally appropriate practices).
Curriculum Training – Training offered around a specific curriculum. The trainings may be conducted by the publishers of the curriculum or by appointed representatives of the company. Often, when such training is completed, a certificate will be issued to the participant.
Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (MO) - The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is a team of dedicated individuals working for the continuous improvement of education and services for all citizens. DESE believes that we can make a positive difference in the quality of life for all Missourians by providing exceptional service to students, educators, schools and citizens. DESE provides leadership and promotes excellence through advocating for high-quality public education; equity for every learner; quality school leaders and other educational team members; and developing standards that demand excellence and build a solid foundation for lifelong learning, workplace skills and citizenship. (dese.mo.gov)
Department of Health & Senior Services (MO) – The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is one of the fifteen departments in the Executive Branch of Missouri government that is responsible for public health and senior service programs and regulatory functions relevant to those programs as required by state statutes. The Bureau of Child Care resides in DHSS and it is this entity that deals with child care licensing and regulation. (dhess.mo.gov)
Department of Higher Education (MO) – At the direction of the Coordinating Board for Higher Education, the Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE) carries out the goals and administrative responsibilities for the state system of higher education, which serves more than 360,000 students through 13 public four-year colleges and universities, 19 public two-year colleges, one public two-year technical college, 25 independent colleges and universities, and 135 proprietary schools. (dhe.mo.gov)
Department of Social Services (MO) - The Department of Social Services (DSS) is administrated by a director who is appointed by the Governor and approved by the state Senate. This department director, in turn, appoints the division directors. DSS is responsible for coordinating programs to provide public assistance to children and their parents, access to health care, child support enforcement assistance and to provide specialized assistance to troubled youth. While many programs give needed financial assistance and services, other units work toward reducing financial dependency of the citizens on government. (dss.mo.gov)
Diploma/Degree Mill - An organization that awards academic degrees and diplomas with very little or no academic study and without recognition by official accrediting bodies. Such organizations are not accredited by standards of traditional institutions, but often claim accreditation by non-standard organizations set up for the purposes of providing a hint of authenticity. Many diploma mills claim to offer degrees on the basis of life experience but most of them require a payment to issue a diploma/degree without the student providing them with any educational documents. These mills are often used to fraudulently claim academic credentials for use in securing employment.
Director Certification (issued in Missouri) – Director Certification in Missouri is based on the level of education and experience of the individual candidate. The certificate is issued by the Missouri Bureau of Child Care, through DHSS. Certificates are awarded based on the licensed capacity of children at a child care facility. The ranges are as follows: 20, 60, 99, and 100 or more children. Requests for certification can be accessed online at (dhss.mo.gov/ChildCare/BCC-71.pdf)
Directory of Early Childhood Certificate & Degree Programs at Missouri Colleges & Universities – Originally commissioned by the Missouri Head Start Association and Head Start Collaboration Office in 2003, the Directory lists all Missouri colleges and universities offering early childhood education degrees. Updated in 2005 and 2007, through funding from the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® MISSOURI Scholarship, the Directory represents a ‘snap shot’ of college programs. Information about types of degrees offered, web sites and contact numbers are provided. (moccrrn.org, click on the T.E.A.C.H. button)
Distance Learning - To meet varied instructional needs of students and personnel, corporations, the military, and schools are adopting alternative delivery modes of instruction. The umbrella term for many of these alternative delivery modes of instruction is distance learning. It is defined as learning in which the instructor and student are separated by either time or distance. Distance learning formats may include audio tapes, video tapes, televised or correspondence courses, and web-based presentations.
Early Childhood Education or Early Care & Education - Early Childhood covers human life from birth to age 8. Care for children can take place in the home with one’s family or through outside care. Early childhood education and early care and education often act as interchangeable terms in this field. The emphasis is on the physical; perception and sensory; communication and language; cognitive; social; and emotional development of the children.
Early Head Start - The mission of Early Head Start (EHS) is to promote healthy prenatal outcomes for pregnant women, enhance the development of very young children, and promote healthy family functioning. EHS was created by the U.S. Congress in the reauthorization of the Head Start Act in 1994. Since its inception, EHS has grown to a nationwide effort of 708 community-based programs serving 61,500 children. EHS serves children from birth to age three. (ehsnrc.org)
Educare (MO) – Educare, in Missouri, is a funded initiative that provides resources, technical assistance, and training opportunities, at free or reduced costs to child care providers, with an emphasis on family home providers. The Educare mission is to promote school readiness by establishing linkages in policy, program, and practice that will ensure all children receive a solid foundation for success in school and life. (dss.mo.gov/cd/early/educare.htm)
Endorsement – An added area of expertise on a teacher certification. For example, a teacher’s certification may be in elementary education with early childhood education as an added endorsement.
FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Applications for federal student aid can be accessed on the web or through the financial aid department at most colleges and universities. Most financial aid programs require students to complete this application to help determine their eligibility for financial assistance beyond the federal government. Students apply for federal Pell grants through FAFSA. (fafsa.ed.gov)
Family Child Care Home – A family child care home provides care in a home setting for 10 or fewer children. If more than four unrelated children are being cared for, the family child care must be licensed by the state and follow rules for safety and health, the number of children who are cared for by adults, and the training of caregivers. Family child care homes may have daytime and nighttime hours for the care of children.
Field Based Classes – Most typically offered through two-year college programs, these classes allow students to take courses related to their college major at their workplace. Instructors assigned to the students visit the workplace to provide individual instruction, observation and to assess progress. These classes are not always taken within a traditional semester schedule but they do yield college credits for the students, most often towards a major in early childhood.
General Education Diploma (GED) – The GED is much like a high school diploma. It requires students that have not completed high school to complete a series of five tests in order to qualify for a certificate that they have passed the state equivalency test. The tests cover such areas as communicating effectively in writing, using correct English grammar and creativity, interpretation of reading material in natural science and humanities, general mathematics, and reading comprehension. Most career/technical colleges and accredited universities accept a GED as one of the entrance criteria.
Group Child Care Home - A group child care home provides care in a home setting, away from the provider's own living space. Group homes are licensed to care for 11 but no more than 20 children and must follow rules for safety and health, the number of children who are cared for by adults, the number of children in a group, and the training of caregivers. Group child care homes may have daytime and nighttime hours for when they take care of children.
Head Start - Created in 1965, Head Start is the longest-running, national school readiness program in the United States. It provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families. More than 25 million pre-school aged children have benefited from Head Start. The National Head Start Association (NHSA) is a private not-for-profit membership organization dedicated exclusively to meeting the needs of Head Start children and their families. Head Start serves children ages three to five years old. (acf.hhs.gov/programs/hsb/hsweb/index.jsp)
Inclusion – Inclusive education means that all students in a school, regardless of their strengths or weaknesses in any area, become part of the school community. They are included in the feeling of belonging among other students, teachers, and support staff. The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and its 1997 amendments make it clear that schools have a duty to educate children with disabilities in general education classrooms.
License – Exempt Child Care Facility – A child care facility exempt from licensure but required by law to be inspected for compliance with fire, safety and health requirements. This includes: facilities operated by religious organizations (a child care facility that operates under the exclusive control of a religious organization) and nursery schools (a program for preschool children that is operated for no more than four hours per child, per day, and is not under the exclusive control of a religious organization). The DHSS, Bureau of Child Care, licensing rule 19 CSR 30-60.010(1)(H), defines license-exempt as a “nursery school not operated by a religious organization or a child care operation run by a religious organization.”
Licensed Child Care – Licensed child care must meet a set of standards for care developed and enforced by the state. Requirement areas include (but are not limited to) child health and safety, the physical facility, daily programming, nutrition, personnel, staff to child ratios, and record keeping. When a child care facility is licensed, it indicates that the Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS) has agreed that the child care program meets basic standards for health and safety and is inspected by a licensing representative of the state. The DHSS, Bureau of Child Care, licensing rule §210.211 RSMo, defines licensing as the “person(s) and facility licensed or required to be licensed under in order to establish, conduct or maintain a child care facility, as further defined in 19 CSR 30-61.010(4) and 19 CSR 30-62.010(3).” (dhss.mo.gov/ChildCare/YellowSheet.pdf)
Missouri Child Care Resource and Referral Network (MOCCRRN) – MOCCRRN provides coordinated, statewide child care resource and referral services that promote a high quality child care system. The primary task is to coordinate the activities and services of the seven child care resource and referral (CCR&R) agencies that serve all 115 counties in Missouri. MOCCRRN advocates for high quality, affordable and accessible child care for all Missouri families. (moccrrn.org)
National AfterSchool Association (NAA) - The National AfterSchool Association, formerly the National School-Age Care Alliance, was founded in 1987. It is a professional association with a membership component including more than 7,000 practitioners, policy makers, and administrators representing all public, private, and community-based sectors of after-school and out-of-school time programs, as well as school-age and after-school programs on military bases, both domestic and international. As a leading voice of the after-school profession, the NAA is dedicated to the development, education, and care of children and youth during their out-of-school hours. (naaweb.org)
National Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC) - NAFCC is dedicated to strengthening the profession of family child care by promoting high quality, professional early care and education and strengthening communities where providers live and work. NAFCC is also dedicated to advocating for the family child care profession by collaborating with other local, state, and national organizations who contribute to the family child care field to increase awareness about and improve the quality of family child care. (nafcc.org/include/default.asp)
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) - NAEYC is dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for all children from birth through age 8. NAEYC is committed to becoming an increasingly high performing and inclusive organization. Founded in 1926, NAEYC is the world's largest organization working on behalf of young children with nearly 100,000 members, a national network of over 300 local, state, and regional Affiliates, and a growing global alliance of like-minded organizations. Membership is open to all individuals who share a desire to serve and act on behalf of the needs and rights of all young children. (naeyc.org)
National Council for Professional Recognition – Located in Washington, D.C., the Council awards the CDA Credential nationally and administers the credentialing process. (cdacouncil.org)
Non-traditional Student - A non-traditional student is most often defined as an undergraduate student with one or more of the following characteristics: 25 years or older; a single parent; has interrupted the education process; may be married; is without a high school diploma; has dependents; works full-time; is financially independent; or can only attend as a part-time student. Many two and four year colleges/universities offer classes and degree programs to meet the non-traditional student’s needs.
One Year Proficiency Certificate – Designed to give a basic understanding of early childhood development and awarded by some community colleges in Missouri. The certificate usually requires 24 to 32 college credit hours and represents half of an Associate Degree.
OPEN - Opportunities in a Professional Education Network - The OPEN Initiative is an "umbrella" under which many career development efforts occur. OPEN's primary focus is the development and implementation of a career development system for early childhood and school-age/after-school professionals. OPEN also supports youth-development programs. It is OPEN’s vision to support competent, reflective, and equitably compensated teachers as they provide high quality early childhood and school-age/after-school education for Missouri's young children. (openinitiative.org)
PACE – Providers Advance through Continuing Education Training - PACE is an advanced training series designed for providers who have completed the CCOT series. PACE consists of the following three-hour modules:
• PACE: Developmentally Appropriate Practices II: From Theory to Practice,
• PACE: Preventing Child Abuse by Strengthening Families, and
• PACE: Safety Issues for Group Care. (moccrrn.org)
PARS - Professional Achievement & Recognition System – PARS was created to recognize the critical service teachers and directors provide to Missouri’s young children. Administered by OPEN, it is a database system that tracks a professional provider’s career development and recognizes educational attainment. (openinitiative.org/pdfs/PARS/parsbrochure.pdf)
Parents As Teachers (PAT) – PAT is an international early childhood parent education and family support program serving families throughout pregnancy until their child enters kindergarten, usually age five. The program is designed to enhance child development and school achievement through parent education accessible to all families. It is a universal access model. The Parents as Teachers National Center, Inc. (PATNC) develops curricula, trains early childhood professionals, and certifies parent educators to work with parents to provide them with parenting support and information on their developing child. (parentsasteachers.org)
Parent Educator – This term is used in association with educators working with PAT. Parent Educators make home visits working directly with parents and children to help families learn about child development, encourage early learning, develop family bonds, and conduct developmental screenings as children grow. These individuals also conduct workshops and trainings for early care providers and families with young children.
Pell Grant - Federal financial aid, based on financial need, awarded to undergraduate students. Pell Grants often provide a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be added. The Pell Grant is one form of financial aid offered by the federal government. Monies awarded through the grant do not need to be repaid later. (fafsa.ed.gov)
PRAXIS - The Praxis Series is a series of Teacher Certification exams that are taken before, during, and after college courses in teacher training. To be certified to teach in most US states, one must achieve qualifying scores on the Praxis 1, a Pre-Professional Skills Test, includes reading, writing, and mathematics, and all Praxis 2 Content Area Assessments. The student must pass these exams before being accepted into the student teaching component of the program.
Project REACH (Rural EArly CHildhood) - A research-based program designed to enhance the quality of unlicensed programs and licensed home programs and centers. Project REACH provides education, support and assistance to those who care for and educate young children through on-site visits. Professional Development Associates (PDA’s) provide on-site training to registered providers and licensed programs that enroll children on subsidy. Project REACH offers on-site technical assistance, newsletters, resources, and incentive grants working to build community relationships that blend strengths and resources to improve the quality of early care and education. (missouri.edu/~umchescfprwww/reach.htm)
Quarter System - An academic year consisting of three sessions called quarters which last about 12 weeks each. The range may be from 10 to 15 weeks. There may be an additional quarter offered in the summer.
Registered Child Care (Vendor) - A licensed-exempt child care facility or legally operating unlicensed/non-regulated child care provider caring for four or less unrelated children who has registered with the Department of Social Services to receive child care subsidy. Registered providers are required to: pass both criminal and Child Abuse/ Neglect background screenings; have adult household members, age 18 or older, submit and pass a criminal and Child Abuse/Neglect background screening; test negative for tuberculosis; be at least 18 years old; have access to a working telephone; have a working smoke detector and fire extinguisher; and agree to other minimal health and safety requirements explained in RsMo 210.025 and 210.027. (dss.mo.gov)
Section of Child Care Regulation (SCCR) - A regulatory agency, located within the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, which is responsible for the regulation and licensure of child care facilities in Missouri as required by state statute. (dhss.mo.gov)
Semester System - An academic year consisting of three sessions called semesters which last about 16 weeks for spring and fall and 8 to 10 weeks in the summer. Credits for courses are reported in semester hours. A semester hour credit equals one 50-minute class period per week or its equivalent throughout one semester. The number of semester hour credits given for each course is listed as part of the course description.
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® MISSOURI Scholarship - Based on the belief that Teacher Education And Compensation Helps, T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI is one of 21 states in a nationwide movement to increase quality child care and education. Working with licensed early childhood providers, the foundation of the T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI Scholarship is rooted in four fundamental outcomes: scholarship, education, compensation, and commitment. Offered statewide, the scholarship has three levels available that differ in the degree sought and the amount of perks accessible in each. (moccrrn.org)
Teacher Certification (in Missouri) - Initial teacher certification in Missouri requires the completion of a state-approved teacher education program. The prospective teacher will be evaluated by an official at an approved institution and complete the requirements of their approved program. The institution of higher education then sends a recommendation for certification to DESE from whom the certification is issued. Areas of certification include early childhood (birth to third grade); elementary education (grades 1 to 6); middle school (grades 5 to 9); subject certifications; special education; student services; administration; and career education. (dese.mo.gov)
Technical Assistance (TA) – Technical Assistance is the providing of advice and assistance pertaining to a specific area. It is often on-site assistance in the implementation of best practices for early childhood including but not limited to developmentally appropriate practice, business, staffing, community and family relationships and the criteria of a specific accreditation system. Technical assistance may be delivered in a variety of ways including face-to-face meetings and phone calls. Currently, the State of Missouri does not award clock hours for Technical Assistance.
Trainer Registry – The Trainer Registry is a database for trainers in the field of early childhood and school-age/afterschool or youth development education in Missouri. It is used to collect and verify trainers’ education and experience and assist in the development of trainer criteria for a trainer approval system through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. OPEN currently houses the Trainer Registry. (openinitiative.org/trainer_overview.htm_
Transfer - Receive credit for a course taken at another educational institution through a process of comparing the content of the course taken and the one needed. This differs from “articulation” in that there is no pre-existing agreement that the courses are equivalent and therefore, no guarantee of acceptance.
Unlicensed/Non-Regulated Child Care – Legally operating facilities, including a home-based program or child care facility, that are exempt from licensing as set forth in §210.211 RSMo. Such facilities can include child care operated by a private or public school system; businesses for the convenience of customers; religious organizations; academic preschools exclusively for four and five year olds; and vacation Bible schools. (dhss.mo.gov)
Variance for Facility Directors - An approved variance is permission for a person to comply with the intent of a licensing rule in an alternate way. To meet the licensing rule, an individual may be required to earn college credit hours. This permission, with conditions, is granted by the Bureau of Child Care Central Office in Jefferson City, Missouri. (dhss.mo.gov)
Vocational/Technical Education or Career Education - Vocational/Technical or Career education prepares learners for careers or professions that are traditionally non-academic and directly related to a specific trade, occupation or vocation in which the learner participates. It is sometimes referred to as technical education, as the learner directly specializes in the particular area of field of expertise.
WIN - Workforce INcentive Project. WIN is a research-based project designed to address teacher and director recruitment and retention in programs through the provision of bi-annual incentive payments. Currently, WIN serves approximately 400 early childhood and school-age/after school professionals. WIN’s goals are to recruit and retain a high-quality early childhood, school-age/after-school and youth development workforce, promote formal education and encourage participation in Missouri’s Professional Achievement and Recognition System (PARS). The project is administered by OPEN. (openinitiative.org/win_overview.htm)
Workshop - A group of people engaging in a short term, intensive study of a subject. The National Council for Professional Recognition requires that a workshop be conducted by an agency with “expertise in early childhood teacher preparation” to qualify as training hours for the CDA
These definitions were compiled by Beth Ann Lang for the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® MISSOURI Scholarship Project. The information is intended for educational purposes solely and is subject to change over time.