Degrees of Appreciation

It’s National Teacher Appreciation Week, the time of year when we thank teachers for the hard work they do to educate the nation’s children. But which teachers are we talking about? Research shows that early education is just as important the K-12 years, providing an important and fundamental base for success in the later grades. Yet our early education teachers rarely get the amount of recognition they deserve. Here are two ways to appreciate the nation’s pre-k educators:

Expect More. Teacher quality is a crucial component to an effective pre-k program. Yet while most K-12 teachers are required to have completed a B.A. degree, yet fewer than half of states with a pre-k program require their teachers to meet such quality standards. The Head Start program, which enrolls more than 900,000 three- and four- year olds, only requires teachers to complete a Child Development Associate’s (CDA) degree. By requiring all pre-k teachers to hold the same credentials as their colleagues in K-12 – and helping them complete these certifications – we recognize that they just as important as the teachers in higher grades. One great idea is to create a “Highly Qualified Early Educator” standard as a part of No Child Left Behind’s Title V, which would establish pre-k educators as an important component in a comprehensive early education program for grades PK-3. Backing up initial certification with continued professional development is also important, to ensure that pre-k educators have access to the best methods in early childhood instruction.

Give More. Pre-k teachers don’t get enough support in their jobs, contributing to a high rate of professional turnover in pre-k classrooms. The median yearly salary for preschool teachers in 2006 was $24,784, half of what the average elementary school teacher earns. Additionally, since many pre-k instructors are not a part of local public school systems, they do not get the same professional benefits as other teachers in their communities. By integrating pre-school teachers into a PK-3 education system, and giving high quality pre-k teachers the same benefits accorded to K-12 instructors, we will ensure that children have motivated teachers and a consistent learning environment.

A commitment to pre-k teachers is also a commitment to our kids. We need to recognize our dedicated pre-k educators by creating a uniform system of PK-3 quality standards, which will translate into higher quality class time for our kids. Check out our policy brief “Teacher Quality in Grades PK-3: Challenges and Options” for more about how we can direct federal policy to appreciate the importance of pre-k teachers.