- FPG experts will be presenting at meetings around the world. Visit the FPG website for a complete list of upcoming presentations.
- Visit the FPG websitefor the latest news on FPG projects.
A study published in the Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education and named the “Distinguished Article of 2005” examines how early childhood personnel preparation programs are preparing professionals to develop a much-needed cultural competency. The study, “Diversity competencies within early childhood teacher preparation: Innovative practices and future directions” examined the literature on innovative models focusing on cultural and ability diversity. The authors, Chih Ing Lim and Harriet Able-Boone from FPG Child Development Institute, identified promising practices that could be adapted by other teacher educators in the field.
Read the Snapshot.
Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides funding to states to provide services for children from birth to three years of age with developmental delays and disabilities. States have flexibility—and therefore variation—in determining the criteria for eligibility.
A study published in the Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities examines the reasons why infants and toddlers entering Part C early intervention services are eligible. The findings yield important information about children receiving early intervention and have the potential to shape the services states provide and therefore the outcomes that children experience.
Read the snapshot.
Thelma Harms was in Japan from November 13 through November 30 on a fellowship from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. She delivered lectures on the "Contribution of the Environment Rating Scales to High Quality Early Childhood Programs" at Kobe Women's College, Ochanomizu Women's University in Tokyo and Hiroshima University. She also visited 6 kindergarten and nursery programs at Nara Women's University and Hiroshima University. Thelma visited 6 cities during her tour. Her host and translator during the tour was Dr. Reiko Uzuhashi, a former Fulbright Fellow at FPG. Dr. Uzuhashi translated the ECERS-R and ITERS-R for publication in Japan.
Windfall Films interviewed researchers and participants associated with FPG’s groundbreaking Abecedarian work. The interviews will be included in a National Geographic documentary on genius, prodigy, and savant syndrome.
Syndee Kraus, Social Research Associate at FPG, was selected to join the America Learns National Strategy Review Panel.
As a member of the panel, Kraus will review and offer detailed feedback on the group’s strategies to ensure that they are practical, relevant, and user friendly. America Learns supports tutors and mentors by providing the necessary knowledge and competencies to provide high quality support to students.
At FPG, Kraus is currently helping to launch FirstSchool — a new vision of early school for children ages 3 to 8 uniting the best of early childhood education and elementary education. Kraus also is a mentor with Blue Ribbon Mentor Advocate, a comprehensive support system in the Chapel Hill - Carrboro City Schools. In June, 2006, a strategy developed by Kraus and Graig Meyer, BRMA's program coordinator, was selected as America Learns National Strategy of the Month. Their strategy helps long-term tutors and mentors reenergize and push their relationships with students to the next level.
The Crosswalks National Institute will provide the latest information on how to prepare tomorrow’s workforce to work with today’s culturally, linguistically, and ability diverse young children and their families. Leading experts will gather for the conference—entitled Infusing Cultural, Linguistic and Ability Diversity in Preservice Education—on July 25-28, 2007 in Asheville, North Carolina.
Among the topics to be discussed at the three-day meeting are how to prepare your students to support young English language learners; how to collaborate with culturally and linguistically diverse family and community partners as part of coursework and practica; how to use instructional dilemmas to explore issues of culture; approaches for using state and national standards as a framework for increasing the emphasis on diversity and much more.
There are a limited number of spaces available. The deadline for early registration at the discounted rate of $195 per person is June 1, 2007. More information and registration forms are available online.