Governor’s Early Childhood Commission Focuses On Professional Development Needs

The Governor’s Early Childhood Commission met on December 12, 2019 to continue its efforts to advance early childhood in Utah.

In 2017, the Department of Workforce Services conducted an Early Childhood Services Study. A new statewide needs assessment and strategic plan are currently being finalized and will be presented to the Commission in March. In addition, Utah has submitted a renewal application for the Preschool Development Grant. If awarded, this three-year grant would be used to update the forthcoming statewide needs assessment and strategic plan, as well as to develop a universal website in collaboration with other state agencies. The State hopes to hear by the end of the year.

The Commission also heard three perspectives on professional development for early childhood professional development: Headstart, Utah Board of Education, and Workforce Services Office of Child Care. After reviewing the education and certification status of their current workforces, the organizations identified the following gaps relating to professional development: (1) collecting accurate data regarding staff turnover (why is staff leaving? where do they go?); (2) determining how best to recruit and retain qualified teachers and develop a competent workforce; (3) allowing time for professional learning to be aligned to the Professional Learning Standards; (4) applying child outcome data to inform future educator professional learning needs; (5) ensuring workforce is aware of professional development opportunities; (6) increasing awareness of the Utah Registry for Professional Development; and (7) reducing barrier to access and increasing awareness of online professional development opportunities.

The Commission will next meet on March 26, 2020 at the Women’s Resource Center in Salt Lake.