RE: Question 2: Alignment-Early Education & K-12

This is a very complex question, with so many parts. I, too, don't want to write a thesis, but hope some of my thoughts add to the discussion.

I believe that to successfully align early education with the K-12 system we will need to  align understanding and philosophies with a child development foundation of training and education for those working with students who will be teaching children, birth through age eight. Institutions of higher learning that prepare students to teach children in this age group need to focus on the research, body of knowledge and experience of professionals to bring the two systems together. K-12 teachers do not routinely learn about child development in depth in their teacher preparation. Before completing my Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential, I earned a B.A. in Child Development, which included field work and theory. A later M.A. in Human Development created a growing awareness of how early learning experiences and development continue to affect later learning, far beyond the primary years.   My K-2 teaching has been greatly influenced and enhanced by this foundation; it has also made me realize how deficient the system is in this area of understanding and has created conflict in my teaching system mandates and what is developmentally appropriate. 

I also think we will need to restructure the certification and compensation system to include teachers of children birth through university. This would create a tiered system that would position teachers by education and experience, instead of placing more value on teachers of older students. It could also have an entry level, with minimum requirements, motivating teachers to stay current and to move up on the ladder. Compensation and working conditions must be addressed, especially considering the high turnover and quality of today's ECE programs.

As far as ensuring that early childhood development programs continue to benefit from the expertise of those outside of the traditional public educational field, dividing the governance structure or developing an ECE department for 0-8 might be a path to investigate.