Pulaski Tech early childhood education program receives $261,000+ grant

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College education students now have funds to expand education opportunities.

The college’s early childhood development program announced Monday that it had received $261,250 from the Teacher Education and Compensation Helps Childhood Scholarship Program to pilot a program offering childcare college courses to high school juniors and seniors.

Students in the program interested in becoming teachers for children 5 and under will receive college credit for these courses. The intention is for the program to provide a workforce for ever-increasing childcare needs, officials said.

The program is currently enrolling for the fall semester, and the first 25 students are eligible to participate in the pilot program. Participating students will receive an annual incentive of $350 for completing coursework and a stipend of up to $1,440 each semester for completing required work experience hours.

Additional benefits available for students include $500 towards the purchase of a new laptop and the $425 assessment fee for those who choose to complete the Child Development Associate assessment.

The Teacher Education and Compensation Helps, or T.E.A.C.H., Early Childhood Scholarship Program is a national, evidence-based strategy that creates access to higher education for teachers, directors and family child-care providers working with young children. The T.E.A.C.H scholarship covers 100% of tuition and fees and 90% of books, with the school district covering the remaining 10%.

Additional information on the program is available at UAPTC.edu/ECD.

from KARK https://ift.tt/HbV08Fn