For more than two decades EDC has led efforts to improve the quality and availability of child care by supporting the professionals who care for young children. For a profession that is historically underpaid and undervalued, we develop programs that enhance the stature, improve the professional opportunities, and raise the expectations of those who care for the very young. Partnering with local, regional, and national child care providers, we develop resource centers, design professional development courses, offer on-site consultation, and conduct research in such areas as curriculum and materials development, literacy enhancement, special education, parent involvement, performance assessment, and management and supervision.
The Southern Sudan Interactive Radio Instruction (SSIRI) project is a program of the Southern Sudan Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST). It is funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and administered by Education Development Center (EDC). Four SSIRI activities provide learning opportunities for children, adults, and teachers in Southern Sudan.
The ERP/EQUIP1 program encourages systemwide reforms by experimenting at lower levels of the educational system (i.e., schools, community, and local government authorities) to test and demonstrate effective strategies for educational improvement. Egypt’s newly developed educational standards provide the framework for the reform overall and the project activities in particular.
CC&F offers training-of-trainers events to build a team of qualified professionals who can provide Early Language and Literacy Classroom Observation (ELLCO) training nationwide. During these events, participants learn foundational information about the ELLCO, practice ELLCO scoring using written scenarios and video vignettes, and prepare to train others to use the ELLCO.
dot-EDU was an information and communication technology (ICT) intervention mechanism for USAID Missions seeking to improve education systems in their respective countries. dot-EDU sought to assist developing countries in strengthening learning systems that improve quality, expand access, and enhance equity through carefully planned applications of digital and broadcast technologies. The dot-EDU mission had two foci. First, dot-EDU provided training and technical assistance to support USAID Missions in developing and implementing technology-assisted applications.
CC&F/EDC developed the Early Language and Literacy Classroom Observation Tool Kit (ELLCO), a tool that early childhood programs and researchers can use to look at the classroom environment—specifically, the level of support offered for children’s language and emerging literacy development. CC&F/EDC trains early educators nationwide to use ELLCO for research, teacher self-assessment, and program improvement.
For decades, CC&F/EDC has helped child care centers, Head Start programs, and public schools enhance their services to ensure children’s school readiness.
CC&F is supporting the goals of Healthy Child Care America by strengthening states’ networks of Child Care Health Consultants (CCHCs). CCHCs provide consultation to local child care programs on health and safety in child care settings and the importance of access to health insurance and medical homes for children. The project hosts a national CCHC registry, including profiles of the status of each state’s current training, funding, and use of CCHCs.
Working in collaboration with Save the Children, EDC is using its existing organizational structures in Blantyre to design and produce a minimum of 10 audio programs as part of an IRI pilot program for strengthening Early Childhood Development (ECD) in Malawi’s Community Based Child Care Centers (CBCCs). During the pilot phase, EDC is overseeing the full development of ECD IRI programs; this includes scriptwriting, studio production, collaboration with Save the Children on pilot roll out, and formative evaluation of lessons.
In Chiangrai Province in Thailand, EDC and the Association for Community and Ecology Development will assist families affected by HIV/AIDS or extreme poverty to reduce household expenses and generate sustainable incomes to fulfill their basic household needs and cover their children’s education. Sixty families with children will be trained to enhance their entrepreneurial knowledge and vocational skills. Seed funds will be provided to each family to start income generating activities.
