For more specific information about the Early
Childhood Teacher Education Program view the Undergraduate Catalog
Early Childhood Program
The Early Childhood Program at Illinois State is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and is a nationally recognized model of standards-based and performance-based teacher education. Candidates are prepared to teach children between the ages of birth through eight years old (third grade). Although it is one of the smaller programs in Curriculum and Instruction, student demand is very high. Candidates are admitted on a selective and competitive basis. There is a demand for teachers in the early childhood field especially in the preschool, state run, public school programs.
Mission
Preparing undergraduate teacher candidates with the professional knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to become highly effective parent-infant educators, special education preschool educators, child care, or kindergarten through third grade teachers.
Special Features of Our Program:
Program objectives are the national standards for early childhood education designed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) which reflects the needs of children based on current research.
Diversity is a major focus of the program, starting with the Multicultural Education course and woven throughout the program.
Technology is a major key to working in modern-day schools. It is embedded into all classes in one form or another.
Clinical experiences occur at all levels in the program. Candidates begin with 45 hrs. in an infant/toddler and preschool program. Following this experience, students receive another 90 clinical hours in kindergarten through third grade. Students finish the program by a dual placement, full semester, student teaching experience in prekindergarten through third grade.
Candidates have options to student teach within the state, San Antonio, Texas, and Eastbourne, England.
Transfer students can conveniently adjust their plan of study to fit the two year early childhood program on campus, resulting in a bachelor's degree, if they work closely with their community college and Illinois State advisors.
School districts are very satisfied with our students as student teachers and early career teachers. School districts turn to Illinois State early childhood education students to fill their hiring needs in the state and also in other states.
The Curriculum and Instruction
Lifestyle Housing at Illinois State is available to students majoring
or minoring in Curriculum and
Instruction. This lifestyle provides the
opportunity for academic support, career
exploration, and integrated social
experiences. Learn more about this housing opportunity.
Realizing the Democratic Ideal
As with the other departments within the College of Education, the Department of Curriculum and Instruction promotes and follows "Realizing the Democratic Ideal", the conceptual framework for all teacher education programs at Illinois State University.
