Preschool teachers in publicly funded child care centers will need certification in some states, as standards of excellence become more important to ensure that children are ready for school.
In Louisiana, little has been required other than that preschool teachers be 18 pr older. Up until now there has been no mandatory training or education requirement.
The state Board of elementary and secondary Education has decided that preschool teachers in publicly funded centers must now take classes in child development. This is a result of a statewide effort to improve preschool.
Other changes include coordinated preschool enrollment, report cards, and the Education Department taking over program management for publicly funded preschools.
Current preschool teachers will have until 2019 to obtain at least a Child Development Associate credential.
“In terms of trying to professionalize birth through four, this takes it to a whole new level,” said Melanie Bronfin, director of the Policy Institute for Children.
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