Early Educators

Investing in Early Educators is Essential

Research shows that a teachers’ education, training, and compensation levels are the main determinants of early education program quality, which has a direct and positive effect on children’s healthy development. Policymakers, researchers, parents and educators across the country are recognizing that in order to truly prepare children to enter school “ready” to succeed, we must invest in the skills of those who educate and care for them every day. In order to achieve optimal outcomes for children, Massachusetts must ensure the creation of a state-level workforce development system that supports the increased training, education, and compensation of early educatorsInitiatives Underway in Massachusetts

The Early Educators Scholarship program was created to help people working in the early education and care field to pursue higher education degrees. Obtaining a degree is not presently a requirement, but because so many early educators have expressed interest in affordable access to higher education opportunities, and because the research links higher early childhood teacher credentials to improved outcomes for children, the Commonwealth has invested in this program.

The Early Education for All Campaign is currently advocating for the increase of funding for the Early Educator Scholarship, among other initiatives, to improve professional development opportunities for early educators.