Early Childhood Education

An education research paper may ask a college student to choose one topic from the list of “Buzz Words” band discuss why it is so controversial in the field of early childhood education . A great way to approach this research paper is to find three (3) articles that support your topic and three (3) articles that disagree with the idea. In a topic, summarize your findings. Remember that every argument has two sides. It is important that you pay adequate attention to arguments that may disagree with your view as well as to persuade others holding your same position(s).

Buzz Words in Early Childhood Education

Choose one (1) of the following buzz words in Early Childhood Education:

• Site-based management: groups of teachers , parents, and community representatives who help make decisions at the school level.
• Standards-based education : instruction aimed at providing students the specific skills and levels of competency necessary to move through the educational system . Aligning the curriculum to meet the national standards of instruction.
• Bilingual education : providing instruction in more than one language.
• Charter schools : providing free public elementary / secondary education under a charter granted by the state legislature or other appropriate authority.
• Voucher system: funds allocated to parents to be used to purchase education for their children at public or private schools in their area.
• Inclusion : the practice of ensuring that all students with disabilities participate with other students in all aspects of school.
• Tracking: placing students in classes based on their academic abilities.
• High-stakes testing: testing students using standardized tests and having the outcome of these tests determine the students’ academic future.

Differentiated Instruction

Differentiated Instruction:  This instructional methodology takes into account the varying abilities, strengths, weaknesses, and interests of students. Teachers may prepare different assignments for different students, have different groups work on different projects during a lesson, or work with students in smaller groups. Material can be differentiated not only for struggling students, but also for those who need to be academically challenged.

Hands-on learning :  Lessons are designed to allow students to actively participated in their learning style . Students may be given manipulatives or perform experiments. The hands-on approach allows students to make sense of more abstract concepts.

Response to Intervention (RTI) :  This educational approach is used to help push struggling students. The ultimate goal is to provide extra, intense instruction that will allow students to improve their academic performance.

Scaffolding: In the beginning, students are given extra support by the teacher. This support might include the use of manipulatives, visual aids, teacher modeling, and simpler assignments. As students become more familiar and comfortable with the content, less support is given until students are able to show mastery of the skill or concept.

Common Core State Standards :  This is a common set of learning standards that was created by leaders in education and governmental officials. The Common Core Standards allow for the same educational outcomes to be expected in every state that adopts the Common Core Standards. This is believed to be the first step toward a national curriculum . Currently 45 states have adopted the Common Core Standards. A teacher can learn from the organization The National Association for the Education of Young People .