The goal of the project is to increase the number of Head Start teaching staff from Queen Anne, Talbot, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties in Maryland pursing advanced training via formal education by funding:

• a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Ecology – Child Development in a cohort format for teachers who hold an Associate Degree, and
• an Associate of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education/ Child Development for aides who have no formal education in child development.

These programs (B.S. and A.A.S.) are designed to provide a socially relevant, appropriate, accessible, and financially un-inhibitive, formal education to participants to enhance their abilities to create, plan, and execute quality preschool programs.

The Bachelor’s degree program:

• is offered through the Department of Human Ecology at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
• classes are presented via WebCT, video-conferencing, and on-site at Chesapeake College Higher Education Center and UMES on scheduled evenings during the regular semester and in summer school.
• features an action research component conducted in the teacher’s Head Start classroom which replaces the off-site internship experience.

The Associate’s degree programis offered at Chesapeake College and Wor-Wic Community College.

Questions: Contact Donna Long at dmlong@umes.edu.