Early Childhood Educator Compensation Equity Study

The purpose of the Early Childhood Educator Compensation Equity Study is to examine workforce compensation and financial assistance and other data on early childhood educators, ECE college students, promising program models, and develop a roadmap to increase compensation for early childhood educators, including ECE lead teachers, across sectors and settings, serving young children from infants through age eight.

CONTEXT OF THE STUDY

With the coronavirus pandemic requiring rethinking of teaching and learning at every level, it has become even more critical to address the limited access to high-quality early learning experiences for all young children and families in Hawaii. The linchpin to early learning access are effective, equitable, diverse, well-prepared, and well-compensated ECE professionals who can confidently adapt to changing circumstances and ensure that each and every child engage in joyful and relevant learning opportunities that fully support their optimal development and learning across all domains and content areas. As our higher education programs are improving the preparation of ECE lead teachers serving young children, birth through age eight, with a bachelor degree at a minimum, there needs to be sufficient earnings to attract and retain a high-quality stable workforce. In addition, low compensation makes it difficult to promote effective professional learning, reduce staff turnover, and establish a high-quality program. The goal is compensation parity with the public school kindergarten to third grade (K-3) teachers, starting with ECE lead teachers with bachelor degrees in ECE.

A powerpoint presentation outlining the specific goals and objectives of the ECE compensation study.