Child Development Assessment in ECE Certificate of Achievement

This certificate of achievement is for students who aspire to specialize in the standardized assessment tools used in early childhood education programs. This certificate is designed for students to be familiar with different environmental and instructional assessment tools that are required in the state of California. Mastering knowledge and implementation of these tools are focused on appropriately ensuring program quality. Students will complete hours of field-based experiences at an approved setting. Course content aligns with federal, state and local standards.

Core Courses: 

CH DEV 1 – 65 per year – 2275 students 

CH DEV 2 – 20 per year – 800 students 

CH DEV 7 – 15 per year – 630 students 

CH Dev 30 – 6 per year – 210 students 

CH DEV 34 – 8 per year – 320 students 

CH DEV 43 – 1 section per semester until demand increases – 35 students per semester 

Total Estimated Enrollment in core courses annually: 4270 students 

Estimated completers by the end of year 2: 50 students 

Estimated completers by the end of year 5: 250 students

PLO: Evaluate and create action plans for appropriate instructional and environmental assessment tools to ensure program standards. 

The overarching goal is to develop a regional “Careers in Education” pathway model with a particular focus on the instructional and environment assessment tools used in the early childhood education field. This is to be integrated into the Guided Pathways initiative through the completion of the Child Development Assessment in ECE Certificate of Achievement. This certificate will support students to prepare individual plans for children and evaluate high quality education programs for children by using appropriate assessment tools. 

Program Objectives: 

Analyze and apply ages and stages (0 – 8 years of age) of children’s growth and development. 

Apply theoretical concepts of child development in practice. 

Examine and discuss the local and state regulations of required assessments in various early childhood programs. 

Develop integrated curriculum based upon child’s developmental needs. 

Analyze different assessment tools used in early childhood education setting and the role of the teachers implementing these tools. 

Deconstruct a classroom setup and structure that support four anti-bias domains: identity, diversity, justice, and action. 

Connect assessment data with daily instructions to support children’s development and learning. 

Specific Occupations: (O*Net 2023)

 · Childcare workers: Child caregiver, childcare provider, childcare worker, daycare teacher, daycare worker, infant teacher, toddler teacher

· Education and Childcare Administrators: childcare director, early head start director, education coordinator, education director, preschool director, preschool program director 

This certificate provides students with understanding of instructional and environmental assessment tools. It also provides valuable information about how to tailor learning environments and plans to meet student’s needs. These skills are highly sought after and will encourage a data-driven culture at their early child development center. Each early care center is required by the state to complete different assessments each year. 

Occupational Competencies: 

· Ability to utilize various assessment tools in early care programs 

· Ability to assess, identify and plan activities to meet the needs of all children. 

· Ability to create individualized developmental plans by analyzing assessment data 

· Assess developmentally appropriate set up of the environment 

· Ability to collaborate with parents regarding their children’s learning

Students are required to complete 18 units of coursework in the field of ECE/CH DEV to earn this certificate. 

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
CH DEV 1	Children's Growth and Development	3	Y1 - S1
CH DEV 2	Early Childhood Principles & Practices	3	Y1 - S1
CH DEV 7	Introduction to Curriculum in Early Childhood Education	3	Y1 - S1
CH DEV 30	Infant and Toddler Studies I	3	Y1 - S2
CH DEV 34	Observing & Recording Children’s Behavior	3	Y1 - S2
CH DEV 43	Instructional and Environmental Assessment Tools in Early Childhood Education	3	Y2 - S3

This program is brand new to the college and LACCD. This program will serve to teach specialty skills in Assessment Tools to early childhood educators. This program includes 5 courses that are currently in place, and 1 new class. This program will be easily stacked into our current certificate and degree programming, and students may pursue more than one at a time. This new certificate should not create any significant enrollment changes. This program will offer skills in a more focused way on Assessment Tools in the ECE field. As we become a more data-driven field, these tools are more essential to learn than ever. This will be a simple addition to our programming that really makes students career and workforce ready upon completion.

Within the Los Angeles Community College District there is currently no Assessment in ECE certificate being offered. From our research there are no programs like this within commuting distance.

Core Courses: CH DEV 001 – 65 per year – 2275 students CH DEV 002 – 20 per year – 800 students CH DEV 007 – 15 per year – 630 students CH DEV 030 – 6 per year – 210 students CH DEV 034 – 8 per year – 320 students CH DEV 043 – 1 section per semester until demand increases – 35 students per semester Total Estimated Enrollment in core courses annually: 4270 students

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