Kansas Interdisciplinary Higher Education Survey

Purpose of the Survey

The purpose of this survey was to gather information on common competencies developed through preservice preparation of practitioners across all disciplines and administrators serving children (birth to five) and their families in the state of Kansas.

It was designed and distributed to 56 higher education programs in Fall, 2014, an attempt to better understand a) content and fieldwork opportunities specific to the early childhood population and b) potential needs in building the competence of the early childhood workforce in Kansas. Preliminary findings from this survey have revealed common knowledge and abilities across disciplines and assisted in identifying gaps to be addressed through linkages between pre-service and ongoing professional development for the early childhood workforce in Kansas.

Survey Development

The Kansas Interdisciplinary Higher Education Survey was adapted from the Iowa 2014 IHE Survey on Endorsement 100 survey. The Iowa Endorsement 100 survey was designed specifically for early childhood educator faculty in Iowa. The Kansas CSPD Team in Kansas adapted and expanded the concepts and items in the Iowa survey for use with interdisciplinary faculty across Kansas in the three areas identified above. After several drafts the survey was sent to 3 faculty members outside of the area of education for their feedback before being finalized. Final edits were completed after they offered their feedback. Link to actual Early Chidhood Higher Education Interdisciplinary Survey Protocol [PDF]

Research Questions

I. Fieldwork Experiences: Are most students in higher education/preparation programs across disciplines completing high quality fieldwork experiences with children aged birth to five and their families?

Are EC fieldwork experiences required? Part C and B, 619?

Are EC fieldwork experiences offered? Part C and B, 619?

Are high quality early childhood settings available?

Is it difficult to locate placements?

II. Fieldwork Experiences: Are most students in higher education/preparation programs across disciplines completing high quality fieldwork experiences with children aged birth to five and their families?

Are EC fieldwork experiences required? Part C and B, 619?Are EC fieldwork experiences offered? Part C and B, 619?

Are high quality early childhood settings available?

Is it difficult to locate placements?

Foundations and Developmental Theories

Typical Development

Learning differences

EBP and Intervention Strategies

Learning Environments

Language

Instructional Planning

III. Fieldwork Experiences: Are most students in higher education/preparation programs across disciplines completing high quality fieldwork experiences with children aged birth to five and their families?

Are EC fieldwork experiences required? Part C and B, 619?

Are EC fieldwork experiences offered? Part C and B, 619?

Are high quality early childhood settings available?

Is it difficult to locate placements?

AT, Teaming, UDL, PBIS, etc.

Foundations and Developmental Theories

Typical Development

Learning differences

EBP and Intervention Strategies

Learning Environments

Language

Instructional Planning

Findings

Across Discipline Results:

Parks, S., Kong, NY., Horn, E., & Lindeman, D. (2015). Interdisciplinary early childhood preservice survey. Poster presentation at Council for Exceptional Children Conference & Expo, 2015, San Diego, CA.

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