Excellence & Equity: Sharing Web Resources

“When it comes to early care and education, all families want to have access to the best quality available. It is troubling, however, that this reasonable, understandable, and justified desire for equitable access still remains out of reach for a great number of families in this country” (Laureate, 2011). However, in order to understand, we must define the following as it pertains to education. “In education, the term equity refers to the principle of fairness. While it is often used interchangeably with the related principle of equality, equity encompasses a wide variety of educational models, programs, and strategies that may be considered fair, but not necessarily equal” (Education Reform, 2016). Excellence, can be described as, a “fact or state of excelling; superiority; eminence” (Dictionary, n.d).

A few months ago, I began researching and exploring websites that focused on local and global issues in early childhood. Save the Children, one of the many sites I come across had a mission and founded their believes on “improving the lives of young children and their families worldwide” (Laureate, 2011).

In recent research, I came across an organization, Children’s 1st, who’s mission is to “identify children who are at risk for poor health and developmental outcomes, so that needed interventions can be made to ensure the optimal health and development of the child” (Children’s 1st, n.d.). Children’s 1st provides developmental guides, services, and community-based resources.

In contrast to other organizations, Save the Children, does not contain much information that adds to my understanding of equity and excellence in early care and education. “Early childhood development is an investment for life. But in countries where poverty, armed conflict, natural disasters, and HIV and AIDS threatened a child’s family and community support structures, Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs sell them take priority” (Save the Children, n.d.). They do, however, various programs that encourage children to participate in their programs. In comparison, these children are more likely to “enroll in school, plan their families, become productive adults, and educate their own children” Save the Children, n.d.).

With all the information gathered, researched, and examined; its amazing to know you never stop learning. I’ve learned so much about other companies and organizations that provide resources and opportunities for educational excellence and equity. With all the issues, trends, barriers, and inaccessibility, it’s reassuring to know that organizations like Save the Children, Children’s 1st, NAEYC, Office of Care all are doing something to promote change.

Resources:

Children 1st. (n.d.). Retrieved April 11, 2020, from https://dph.georgia.gov/children1st

Education Reform: Equity. (2016, April 4). Retrieved April 11, 2020, from https://www.edglossary.org/equity/

Excellence. (n.d.). Retrieved April 11, 2020, from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/excellence?s=t

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2011). Issues and trends in the early childhood field: Excellence and equity of care and education for children and families—Part 2. Baltimore, MD: Author.