Early Childhood Education: Policy Issues.

Policy issues in the area of early childhood education are discussed in this document prepared for the Chief State School Officers of the Northwest and Pacific. Particular attention is given to: (1) the scope of early childhood education; (2) academic, developmental, economic, and political purposes of early childhood education; (3) targeted groups; (4) shared responsibilities of stakeholders; (5) certification and credentialing; and (6) determination of who does and does not benefit from programs. It is concluded that even though the dichotomy between education and care is probably necessary for policy purposes, the dichotomy does not reflect the intrinsic interconnection of care and education. Because education and care are unified in the child, services should be child-centered, and the viewpoints of families, agencies, and institutions that impinge on the child must be understood and respected. (RH)