Current Issues That Affect Education Though grounded in history, philosophy, and research, the theories and practice of education are constantly changing in response to new knowledge and children's needs. Whether you decide to teach young children or work in a related profession, you will need to be aware of the current issues and challenges that are affecting the lives of young children, their families, and the educational field. For this Discussion, choose  one  of the following current issues listed below to explore: English as a Second Language Children with Special Needs Effects of Being Born into and Living in Poverty Effects of Stress and Trauma on Learning and Development Brain Research and Learning Based on what you have learned about education and children in this course, consider what teachers need to know in order to be respectful, responsive, and effective. With these thoughts in mind: By Day 3: Post  at least  three  findings/insights that you believe will provide vital knowledge to your colleagues in this program. Be sure to reference the Learning Resources or any other sources. Required Resources Article: Benard, B. (1995, August).  Fostering resilience in children .  ERIC Digest  (EDO-PS-95-9). Retrieved from http://resilnet.uiuc.edu/library/benard95.html Article: Colker, L. J. (2008, March).  Twelve characteristics of effective early childhood teachers .  Beyond the Journal.  Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200803/BTJ_Colker.pdf Copyright 2008 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Reproduced with permission of the National Association for the Education of Young Children in the format electronic usage via Copyright Clearance Center. Note:  The characteristics discussed in this article also apply to teachers at the intermediate grade level. Standards and Regulations for Early Childhood Education Program Standards Web Article: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). (n.d.). When babies and toddlers are in care, accreditation is a key to quality. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved from  http://www.naeyc.org/resources/research/when+babies Article: NAEYC. (n.d.). A guide for families: Using NAEYC standards to find quality programs for young children. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.standrewumc.org/fileadmin/New_Website/Children/CWP/NAEYC_Accreditation/NAEYC_Right_Choice_for_Kids_brochure.pdf Note:  Though this brochure is written for families, it will provides a sound overview of quality education for preschool-age children. Ethical Standards NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct http://www.naecte.org/docs/ethics.pdf Standards and Regulations for the Elementary Grades Learning Standards Standards for the English Language Arts http://www.reading.org/General/Publications/Books/bk889.aspx?mode=redirect Principles and Standards for School Mathematics http://www.nctm.org/standards/content.aspx?id=16909 Program Standards Minnesota Department of Educa.

1. Current Issues That Affect Education
Though grounded in history, philosophy, and research, the
theories and practice of education are constantly changing in
response to new knowledge and children's needs. Whether you
decide to teach young children or work in a related profession,
you will need to be aware of the current issues and challenges
that are affecting the lives of young children, their families, and
the educational field.
For this Discussion, choose
one
of the following current issues listed below to explore:
English as a Second Language
Children with Special Needs
Effects of Being Born into and Living in Poverty
Effects of Stress and Trauma on Learning and Development
Brain Research and Learning
Based on what you have learned about education and children in
this course, consider what teachers need to know in order to be
respectful, responsive, and effective.
With these thoughts in mind:
By Day 3:
Post
at least
three
findings/insights that you believe will provide vital knowledge
to your colleagues in this program. Be sure to reference the
Learning Resources or any other sources.
Required Resources

2. Article: Benard, B. (1995, August).
Fostering resilience in children
.
ERIC Digest
(EDO-PS-95-9). Retrieved from
http://resilnet.uiuc.edu/library/benard95.html
Article: Colker, L. J. (2008, March).
Twelve characteristics of effective early childhood teachers
.
Beyond the Journal.
Retrieved from
http://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200803/BTJ_Colker.pdf
Copyright 2008 by the National Association for the Education
of Young Children. Reproduced with permission of the National
Association for the Education of Young Children in the format
electronic usage via Copyright Clearance Center.
Note:
The characteristics discussed in this article also apply to
teachers at the intermediate grade level.
Standards and Regulations for Early Childhood Education
Program Standards
Web Article: National Association for the Education of Young
Children (NAEYC). (n.d.). When babies and toddlers are in
care, accreditation is a key to quality. Washington, DC: Author.
Retrieved from
http://www.naeyc.org/resources/research/when+babies
Article: NAEYC. (n.d.). A guide for families: Using NAEYC
standards to find quality programs for young children.
Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved from
http://www.standrewumc.org/fileadmin/New_Website/Children/
CWP/NAEYC_Accreditation/NAEYC_Right_Choice_for_Kids_
brochure.pdf
Note:
Though this brochure is written for families, it will provides a
sound overview of quality education for preschool-age children.

3. Ethical Standards
NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct
http://www.naecte.org/docs/ethics.pdf
Standards and Regulations for the Elementary Grades
Learning Standards
Standards for the English Language Arts
http://www.reading.org/General/Publications/Books/bk889.aspx
?mode=redirect
Principles and Standards for School Mathematics
http://www.nctm.org/standards/content.aspx?id=16909
Program Standards
Minnesota Department of Education: Alignment of Minnesota
K-12 Kindergarten Academic Standards with the Early
Childhood Indicators of Progress: Minnesota's Learning
Standards and the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework
http://education.state.mn.us/mdeprod/idcplg?IdcService=GET_F
ILE&dDocName=005279&RevisionSelectionMethod=latestRele
ased&Rendition=primary
Current Issues in Education
Note:
For this week's Discussion, be prepared to post your thoughts
and insights about
one
of the following issues that affect education. Peruse the
suggested Web sites in order to gain insights into the topic of
your choice.
English as a Second Language
TESOL
http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/secet.asp?CID=1893&DID=11074
Children with Special Needs
CEC SmartBrief: Children with Special Needs
http://www.smartbrief.com/cec/index.jsp
Note:
Free registration is required in order to access this article.
Effects of Being Born into and Living in Poverty
Child Welfare League

4. http://www.cwla.org
Effects of Stress and Trauma on Learning and Development
Child Trauma Academy
http://www.childtrauma.org/
David Baldwin's Trauma Information Pages
http://www.trauma-pages.com/
Zero to Three (Infant mental health)
http://www.zerotothree.org/
Brain Research and Learning
Brain Place
http://www.amenclinics.com/brain-science/
The Dana Foundation
http://www.dana.org/default.aspx
Learning and the Brain
http://www.learningandthebrain.com
Optional Resources
Course Text:
Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood
Programs: Serving Children From Birth Through Age 8
edited by Carol Copple and Sue Bredekamp
"Guidelines for Developmentally Appropriate Practice," pages
16–23
These guidelines, though written with early childhood education
in mind, also apply to teaching at the intermediate grade level.
Web Site: National Education Association
http://www.nea.org/
Web Site: American Federation of Teachers
http://www.aft.org/