Volunteers from the education and business community service on three Working Groups to develop recommendations on professional standards, improved articulation and resources for services offered through the NJPDC's three offices. If you would like to join a Working Group, please contact the NJPDC.

Professional Standards Working Group
This group is working to formalize efforts to reach consistency and coordination of standards for early care and education. The Core Knowledge and Competency Areas for Professional Standards for Adults Working with Young Children Birth through Age Eight and in Out-of-School-Time Programs includes a career lattice with position titles, and six levels of competencies. Co-chairs are Annie Laches and Holly Seplocha. Contact Odessa Davis, director of Office of Professional Standards and Articulation at 908-737-5908.

Articulation Working Group
This group advocates for more clearly defined paths of articulation allowing for better transfer of experience and course work between various educational levels. This includes providers of teacher preparation for CDA, two and four-year institutions. Recommends ways to improve access to high quality professional development. Co-chairs are Arlene Martin and Marcia Schoolmaster. Contact Odessa Davis, director of Office of Professional Standards and Articulation at 908-737-5908.

Clearinghouse Working Group
This group plans and publishes the Directory of Instructional Resources that can be easily accessed by early care practitioners. Contact Mary Manning-Falzarano, Clearinghouse Manager, at 908-737-5903.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER

Departments of Special Education and Multicultural Education
New Jersey City University

Project DIVERSITY

An Exciting Career Opportunity in the Field of Bilingual/ESL Special Education

Scholarship applications are now being accepted for the Fall 2002 Semester. A Federal Grant Award offers qualified individuals an opportunity to gain knowledge in Special Education and Bilingual Education or in English as a Second Language Teacher (ESL). Individuals will obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education and a dual teaching certification in special education and bilingual education or a specialization in ESL. This intensive full-time program consists of a full one-year (Fall, Spring and Summer) scholarship and a monthly stipend to be applied towards the Bachelor's Degree. Transfer students and current NJCU students are encouraged to apply.

To be eligible for this program you must have:

Minimum of 60 undergraduate credits.Cumulative GPA 2.75 Desire to work with children who are linguistically and culturally diverse.

Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis. For an application and further information contact:

Judy Ramirez, Grants CoordinatorTel. (201) 200-3116 or (201) 200-3023Fax. (201) 200-3118 Email: Jramirez@njcu.edu

The New Jersey Professional Development Center for Early Care and Education extends an invitation to you to join and become a part of the Working Group on Early Care and Education Director's Preparation. This group is charged with the development of an early care and educationdirector's preparation program for the State of New Jersey. If you are interested in joining this group and making a difference, please call Odessa Davis at 908-737-5908 or email at odavis@njpdc.org.