This project has produced a lower-division program of study supporting early care and education teacher preparation. The Lower Division 8 represents an evidence-based foundation with shared professional consensus. Offering a consistent educational core throughout the state's Community College EC/CD Programs can better prepare students with the skills and abilities that best support the success of young children.

The professional organization of the California Community College Early Childhood Educators (CCCECE) members and colleagues began discussions in early 2005 inspired by the initiative promoting preschool for all of California�s four-year olds. These discussions led to a formal commitment supported by over two hundred faculty to develop coursework that maintains the unique qualities of the early care and education profession and also improves the teaching and care practices for young children in California. In 2006, with funding from WestEd's E3 Institute, serving Santa Clara County, the Curriculum Alignment Project began. Current 2007-2008 funding is provided by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

EC/CD faculty from Community Colleges and California State Universities joined course work groups, and a Steering Committee and an Advisory Council of statewide teacher preparation partners offered outside perspective to plan the content of eight, 3-unit courses. By the end of the 2007 academic year, CCCECE made recommendations for "The EC/CD Lower Division 8" as a lower division pre-requisite core for all teachers of young children in California. Another current effort of the Curriculum Alignment Project is to facilitate the transfer of these eight courses as a package to the California State Universities, promoting access to ongoing education of ECE professionals.

In 2007-2008, the CAP Executive Committee in collaboration with CCCECE and the Child Development Training Consortium (and with funding support from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation) created the Alignment process and tools to facilitate college participation. The faculty are continuing their work promoting transfer and regulatory change.

Project Activities

Refine the Recommended Eight Lower Division Courses: October, November 2007, February 2008
Identify Regional Leads within Five Areas of California: November 2007
Create the Technical Assistance Component to Support Faculty in the Alignment Process Across the State: November, December 2007, January 2008
Design the Alignment Tool Kit: January 2008
Distribute the 2007-2008 Curriculum Alignment Project Recommendation: February 2008
Continue our Work in Support of consistent statewide Transfer Agreements with California State Universities: through Project Year