A new apprenticeship opportunity in Indiana is helping more students jumpstart their future as an early childhood educator.
In total, 65 students at seven high schools are participating in the state’s new Early Childhood Education Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program, according to a news release from the Indiana Department of Education.
“Increasing opportunities to explore and pursue future career interests while in high school provides students a more seamless transition to their future, helping them to achieve their unique goals and dreams,” said Katie Jenner, Indiana secretary of education. “Sometimes these experiences affirm a student’s future plans, and other times, they may decide to go a different direction. Both of these scenarios provide valuable learning opportunities.
“We are thrilled that 65 students have expressed an interest in being an early childhood educator and now have a pathway to achieve that goal through this new apprenticeship opportunity,” she said. “With the help of local early childhood education providers and higher education partners, these students will graduate high school with valuable work-based learning experiences, as well as a credential of value, and will be better prepared for their future as a result.”
In a presentation to the Indiana State Board of Education on Wednesday, the department of education highlighted a recent event at the Statehouse.
That event brought together students from multiple school districts for an apprenticeship signing day, similar to those that are held for professional athletes. Alongside their teachers, students “signed” with local employers and higher education partners, to make their apprenticeship “official.”
The Early Childhood Education Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program, a partnership between IDOE and the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning, is designed to strengthen career pathways for educators by leveraging competency-based, job-embedded workforce models for students.
Students participating in the program, funded by the federal Preschool Development Grant, can gain experience and credentials of value in the early learning setting while earning high school credit.
Upon completion of the apprenticeship, students can immediately start their career as an early childhood educator or continue in the career pathway to earn a degree. The program’s curriculum aligns with the Early Childhood Education Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway under Indiana’s Next Level Programs of Study and includes a combination of high school courses, dual credit and dual enrollment options.
The following schools are currently participating: Anderson Community Schools, Elkhart Community Schools, Greater Lafayette Career Academy, Indianapolis Public Schools, Lewis Cass Schools, Metropolitan School District (MSD) Lawrence Township and New Albany Floyd County Schools.