Early Childhood / Elementary Education (ECE) Program: PreK-4th Grade

The skills that students learn in the early childhood period are absolutely critical for their later success in elementary school. Participants in our Early Childhood Education program will acquire the knowledge and skills they need to help young children excel in a variety of pre-school and elementary education settings. To this end, the Early Childhood Education program at Temple offers:

Coursework on the cognitive, social and emotional development of children in the age range of 3 to 9 (prekindergarten to 4th grade); Teachers can be most effective when they really understand the minds of young children – what they can understand, how they learn, and what motivates them.
Coursework on language and literacy; courses cover state-of-the-art research on how spoken language in the early years serves as a foundation for learning reading skills and how reading fluency develops and is promoted by effective, evidence-based teaching strategies.
Coursework on students with special needs; courses on special education strategies provide an excellent foundation for promoting achievement in all students in the classrooms.
Coursework on English Language Learners (ELLs); In 2007, the Census Bureau reported that 13% of the population were born outside of the United States; in Philadelphia, one in 10 students are classified as ELL. Teachers need effective strategies for promoting the achievement of their students with limited English proficiency.
Courses that emphasize the challenges of teaching and learning in urban environments; Graduates of our program are equipped to teach in a variety of school settings and understand how families, communities, and cultures influence school achievement.

2012-13 Early Childhood Education Program Curriculum Sheet [pdf] - for students starting the ECE Program in fall 2012 or spring 2013

2013-14 Early Childhood Education Program Curriculum Sheet [pdf] - for students starting the ECE Program in fall 2013 or spring 2014

Early Childhood / Elementary Education (ECE): PreK-4th Grade with a Special Education Concentration: PreK-8 Grade - Dual Certification Program

NEW for 2013-14! Approved in May 2013 by the Temple University Board of Trustees and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)!

The Early Childhood-Elementary Education (PreK-4) with a Concentration in Special Education (PreK-8) Dual Certification Program is designed to prepare teachers to work in programs serving diverse learners in a variety of settings in grades pre-kindergarten through four. Students with this concentration will learn to implement evidence-based instructional practices in classrooms with students of diverse abilities. Furthermore, students will apply their skills in a variety of field experiences including a Practicum for diverse learners focused on addressing the needs of special education students and English language learners.

The Dual Certification Program offers all of the coursework of the ECE program with additional coursework focused on special education strategies to provide a comprehensive and excellent foundation for promoting achievement in all students in the classrooms. Participants in this Dual Certification Program can earn certification in Early Childhood (PreK-4) and Special Education (PreK-8).

2013-14 ECE / SPED Program Curriculum Sheet [pdf] - for students starting the Dual Certification Program in fall 2013 or spring 2014

Accelerated 4+1 Program: Bachelor of Science in Education in Early Childhood Education (B.S.Ed.) and Master of Education in Special Education (PreK-8) (Ed.M.)

For all information including overview and contact information: Special Education programs.

Contact Information

If you have questions about the ECE program, please contact:

Dr Kristina Najera

Assistant Professor Teaching/Instructional

phone: 215 204-5477
knajera@temple.edu

If you have questions about the ECE & Special Ed Dual Certification program, please contact:

Dr Kenneth Thurman

Professor of Special Education
phone: (215) 204-6018
kenneth.thurman@temple.edu
.