UAA鈥檚 Early Childhood Development AAS program earns national accreditation
by Green & Gold News |
The 成人APP精选School of Education is proud to announce that our Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Early Childhood Development program has been re-accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This national recognition reaffirms UAA鈥檚 commitment to high-quality educator preparation and continuous improvement, strengthening Alaska鈥檚 early learning workforce.
NAEYC鈥檚 decision confirms that UAA鈥檚 AAS program meets rigorous national standards and places it among the top 20% of accredited associate degree programs in early childhood education nationwide. In its decision, the NAEYC Commission praised 成人APP精选for its:
- Culturally responsive curriculum, including courses like Creative Arts and Cultural Family Engagement, which integrate family and cultural competency across the program;
- Strong community and institutional partnerships, providing meaningful fieldwork placements and wraparound support;
- Spiraled and integrated fieldwork experiences, ensuring that candidates progress from knowledge to practice with mentorship and hands-on learning;
- Comprehensive monitoring and support systems, including the use of technology to enhance candidate feedback and performance.
The Commission also highlighted UAA鈥檚 leadership in piloting updated accreditation standards and reporting practices, contributing to national efforts to refine and improve the accreditation process for all institutions.
Led by Dr. Wei-Ying Hsiao, professor of Early Childhood Education, and supported by faculty and staff in the Early Learning & Teaching Department, the School of Education remains dedicated to preparing responsive, well-supported educators who reflect and serve Alaska鈥檚 diverse communities.