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Academic and Professional Development Programs

Child Care Provider Training and Academic Support

The Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences provides assistance to individuals through professional development programs that offer training and mentorship directly to Tennessee’s early childhood workforce. We understand the responsibility of the academic community to lead thoughtful engagement with practitioners and policy makers and provide support for students, practitioners, and researchers.

The Center promotes the critical management of ideas, comprehensive teaching and learning strategies, and the ongoing evaluation of rules and policies regarding education at all levels. We continually focus on developing new and current practitioners by partnering with other academic institutions, forming collaborative partnerships on campus and working in collaboration with other local, state, and national organizations. The Center believes that the academic institutions and the individuals benefit from these partnerships. Working with practitioners in the field provides an insight into what works best and how to evolve academic curriculum.

 

TENNESSEE EARLY CHILDHOOD TRAINING ALLIANCE (TECTA)

The Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance (TECTA) is a statewide program that provides free training and academic tuition support to childcare providers and administrators. The program offers a free 30-hour Orientation with instruction in five areas: center-based child care, infant/toddler care, family child care, school-age child care, and administrator training. After completing the Orientation, participants are eligible to receive tuition assistance for coursework at any Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) institution. Participation is open to any staff employed in a licensed child care facility in Tennessee. 

The TECTA management office of Tennessee State University provides administration and technical assistance to nine TECTA sites housed within Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) institutions, which serve as local centers that implement the statewide system for certificate, credential, and degree training programs. Each site provides 30-hour Orientation training and serves as a local resource for technical assistance with program accreditation and access to college courses.

The nine TECTA sites include:

Austin Peay State University

Chattanooga State Community College

Dyersburg State Community College

East Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State University

Roane State Community College

Southwest Tennessee Community College

Tennessee State University

Tennessee Tech University

Research shows that quality early childhood education plays an important role in preparing children to enter school ready to learn. TECTA is based on the belief that early childhood personnel need professional knowledge and skills to provide the appropriate care and prepare children. To learn more about the TECTA program visit the website or click here to read an article by Dr. Connie Mietlicki, former Research Director for the Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences.

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HEAD START CAREER ADVANCEMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (TSU HS-CAPP)

The Tennessee State University Head Start Career Advancement Partnership Program, or TSU HS-CAPP, is an education, training, and mentorship program for the staff of L.B.J. & C. Head Start, Metro Action Commission, and South Central Human Resource Agency Head Start programs.  

 

The Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 – P.L. 110-134 – mandated new higher education standards for all Head Start classroom personnel. TSU HS-CAPP partners with Columbia State Community College, Nashville State Technical Community College, Roane State Community College, Tennessee Technological University, and Volunteer State Community College to provide support to these teachers as they work toward Associate and Baccalaureate degrees.

The program unites with the Center’s mission by working to improve the quality and long-term effectiveness of Head Start services to Tennessee’s children and their families.