The Peer Review Project (PRP) is a new Vermont program to help experienced early childhood professionals gain Vermont Department of Education educator licensure with an endorsement in early childhood, using the alternative Peer Review option. The project aims to increase the number of licensed early childhood teachers working with young children in Vermont.
To help prepare professionals to create the portfolio and apply for educator licensure through Peer Review, the professionals accepted into the Project:
- attend a 10-month, hybrid (on-line and face to face) course for graduate college credit through Union Institute and University, beginning in February 2011
- recieve guidance from a regional mentor
Applicants for the Project must be experienced early childhood educators, with a minimum of a Bachelor Degree. Applications for the first Peer Review Project will be accepted through 12/16/2011.
The Project is sponsored by the Mary Johnson Children’s Center and The Northern Lights Career Development Center with funding in part from the A.D. Henderson Foundation.
Benefits of Educator Licensure: Public schools require the teachers they hire to have current educator licensure with the appropriate endorsement. Many school districts in Vermont also engage in partnerships with community based early care and education programs. This enables them to qualify for public education funding. One requirement of this partnership is that a licensed educator with early childhood endorsement works with the children in the program.
Peer Review is an approved process for those who hold at least a bachelor’s degree and who have acquired the knowledge, experience and skills needed to meet the competencies, requirements and Principles for Vermont Educators through professional development and experience. For Peer Review, professional development experiences may include workshops and other non-credit bearing activities. For more in-depth information about Peer Review, consult the Department of Education Peer Review Handbook or contact David Hough (email: david.hough@statevt.us) 802-828-0449.
Transcript Review: Professionals who are already licensed teachers in another endorsement area may want to request a review of their college coursework with the Vermont Department of Education to get the Early childhood education endorsement. Only professional development that is credit bearing is considered during a transcript review. The Vermont Department of Education has the lastest information on transcript review.
The Vermont Northern Lights Career Development Center works with many partners to unify and enhance the professional development system for early childhood and afterschool professionals in Vermont. It is funded by a grant from the Child Development Division of the Vermont Agency of Human Services. The Community College of Vermont (CCV) and the Vermont Child Care Industry and Careers Council (VCCICC) are co-grantees.
Loading ...