A Unified-Birth Through Grade Three Early Childhood Endorsement: Challenges to IHE Faculty Across Iowa

Abstract

Iowa, like many states, must respond to the developing and expanding needs for teachers in early intervention. This article describes one state's jaurney to establish and implement a unified endorsement in early childhood and early childhood special education, birth through third grade. A detailed description provides an understanding of the process that Iowa went through to develop a unified endorsement. It describes the formation of the Unified Institute of Higher Education (IHE) Cansartium and the support the consortium provided to help faculty make major curriculum changes. The results of a statewide faculty needs survey are described to help understand what issues confront IHEs and faculty as they undertake such a major transformation of teacher preparation, The article also describes some challenges for the future.