Whether or not you agree with the motivation, procedure, and/or implementation of the "Race to the Top" initiative, spearheaded by President Barack Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan, I believe congratulations are due to the 35 states which participated in the "race" by submitting proposals for ECE development and/or reform in their states. Submitting documents of this caliber takes, time, hard work, dedication, and collaboration, and shows an understanding, at least, of the importance of quality ECE, and the positive effects it can have upon education over all and improved societal reform.
Nine States were awarded "Race to the Top" grants. They are: California, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island and Washington State.
Congratulations!
References:
NPR & Dominguez, A. (2011, December 16). 9 States Win Early Education Grant : NPR. NPR. Retrieved December 17, 2011, from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=143822676
Dot,
ReplyDeleteYou have shared a great amount of knowledge with me over this course and I really wanted to thank you for all of your input. I have learned about the Montessori schools from you and have enjoyed your posts. Good luck with your future courses.
I agree with Amber. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your post and embracing the information that you have offered thus far. I wish you the best of luck on your professional career path. I would also like to say thank you for acknowledging my state "North Carolina" for being one of the recipeints of the Race to the Top Grant.
ReplyDeleteThank you Amber and Angela... I know it may not seem obvious, but one of the aspects about the Walden program that I LOVE is the diversification of people I get to interact with from all over not only the Americas but the world! The perspectives you bring (along with those of our classmates) to the discussions and blogs, is indispensable!
ReplyDeleteAnd Angela.... North Carolina seems to have some interesting things going on in regard to ECE. For instance, I've enjoyed learning about the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at UNC there in Chapel Hill. I've also turned in the NM-AEYC conference registration in part because Camille Catlett of FPG Child Development Institute will be speaking there. I'm looking forward to it. I appreciate the contributions NC is making to the field of ECE. May they endeavor to spend the "Race to the Top" grant monies well! I hope other states are paying attention!
Dot,
ReplyDeleteIt has been a pleasure reading your blogs each week. I agree with Angela and Amber concerning your knowledge of the Montessori method in regard to working with children. I wish you well with your future endeavors and hope that we will have future classes together so that we can grow in knowledge about early childhood education.
Dot,
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your information on education, it has been great hearing about the United States and your education system.
Thanks again for following my blog, and the great comments and encouragement. Best of luck on your future endeavors.
Dear Dot,
ReplyDeleteI would love to take a moment and say thnakyou for all the support you have been to me. You took a special interest in getting to know me better, you asked questions and provided resources(the teacher in you). I have enjoyed getting acquainted with you. I hope that i can keep in contact with you because you have so much experience in this field and has shared much wisdom. I wish you all the best as you continue on this career path. You are a great resource to many and you are making a huge difference in the lives of the young children that are your students. It been a pleasure to visit your webpage and learn about the "whole child/ family concept. I will visit more often.
It was a pleasure to get to know you.
Best wishes to you and your future success, which I know will be great. I feel so blessed to have a postive support system through school. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteHello Dot. I have really appreciated reading your blog! I love the way you incorporated information other than those that were required from the course. I am sure I will continue to check you out through out this program, just as another great resource for more useful information. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on your blog success, I have to admit, that I would review your blog, as to how I could challenge my own thinking when it came to work on my blog. Each week, I found you to be very informative. Good luck to you and your future endeavors.
ReplyDeleteDear Dot,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your contributions on your blog and on the discussion board. Your knowledge of the early childhood field has given me new insights and resources related to my work as well as for class. Wishing you success in your professional development future!