The Barton Community College Board of Trustees will review the college’s Early Childhood program during a study session on July 14.
Those who oversee the program –including KellyAnn Bonnell, instructor/coordinator of the program, said the program needs to be updated to meet the new Kansas Early Learning Standards and general accepted best practices.
It’s been 10 years since the program had any significant changes, a executive summer from the training team notes.
The goals include creating a clear delineation between the Infant/Toddler Curriculum and the Preschool Curriculum, allowing students to special in an age group.
Another goal is to fill a gap in training for individuals wanting to be paraeducators and substitute teachers.
Recommended program changes include:
- Amending the current 24 credit-hour certificate to be a 28 credit-hour Infant and Toddler Certificate
- Adding a 28 credit-hour Preschool Certificate
- Adding an 18 credit-hour Paraeducator Certificate
- Adding an 8 credit-hour Substitute SAPP
- Updating the 64 credit-hour Associate in Applied Science degree and the 60 credit-hour Associate in Science degree to include the new courses.
Course changes
A number of new or updated courses are recommend, such as field experiences for different age groups, a play-based learning course, an introduction to substitute teaching and a paraprofessional classroom readiness course.
The training team includes Bonnell; Mary Foley, executive director of Agriculture and Industry Education; and adjuncts Matt Connell, Shara Nidenthal and Kim Specht.
