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NEEDS OF LOCAL EDUCATORS TO BE MET THROUGH RESEARCH |
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April 13, 2011
GROVE CITY, Pa. – Early education research by Grove City College professors and students could go a long way to addressing the needs of some Pennsylvania counties with the “highest risk” of failure, as identified by a recent report by the state’s Department of Education.
The research, made possible by funds provided by The Heinz Endowments, and gathered by Associate Professor of Education Dr. Patricia Scheffler and senior students Jocelyn Blanton of Stow, Mass., and Brittany Hayward of Ocean Grove, N.J., seeks to identify the professional development needs of early childhood educators in Butler, Lawrence, Mercer and Venango counties. The findings will be critical to assisting at least two counties, Lawrence and Venango, deemed “highest risk.”
This initial phase of research, conducted from December 2010 to February 2011, surveyed educators and administrators in the target counties and was distributed through the Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Key home office website and through the Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV. The survey, analyzed by Survey Monkey, concluded last month with more than 200 respondents.
The survey provided not only biographical and logistical information, but also data on areas of perceived need by the participants. The study yielded three topics that educators were most interested in discussing at a professional development conference, to be held at Grove City College at a later date: special needs, behavior support and student instruction.
Historically, very few opportunities and forums for professional development have been accessible to educators in specific geographical regions. The conference will seek to provide early childhood educators the environment to vocalize these needs and discuss potential temporary and permanent solutions.
The research project is supervised by Dr. Constance Nichols ’93, chair of the department of education and associate professor of education.
To read the Grove City College Summary Report, click here.
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