Innovation and individualized learning aren’t just buzzwords for K-12 education. According to the new report from Education Market Research (EMR), “National Survey of Early Childhood Education Programs: 2010,” the most in-demand professional development programs for early childhood focus on “differentiated instruction/meeting individual student needs.” Since the survey was last conducted in 2002, the federal government would like schools to track longitudinal data starting with preschool. Schools and teachers need to demonstrate that their students are making progress, and they need the tools that can assist them.
The survey also shows that while the schools are still focused on nurturing their young pupils, the market for subject-specific preschool materials of varying learning abilities is growing. Teachers spend the most of amount time each week on reading (7.5 hours) and social skills (5.4 hours), but they also spend 5.2 hours/week on math as well as 2.8 hours/week on science and 2.7 hours/week on social studies.
Other Key Survey Findings
- The market size has changed, adding approximately 1.2 million students, 67,000 classrooms and 67,000 teachers, and $345 million in spending. This computes to market segment spending growth averaging 5.9% per year since 2002.
- Total Early Childhood discretionary spending for the 2009-10 school year is estimated at $1.078 billion.
- In 2002, the majority of Pre-K programs (52.7%) were half-day, while Kindergarten was 67.1% full-day. In 2010, the majority of Pre-K programs (56.7%) are now full-day, while Kindergarten is 84.8% full-day. Grades 1 and 2 were, and still are, almost universally full-day programs.
- One of the most obvious changes relates to Internet usage. This resource was barely mentioned eight years ago, and it is now being used frequently in the classroom by 74.1% of the EC educators.
- In terms of organizing the Early Childhood curriculum, skills (59.2%), themes (58.8%), and subject areas (49.3%) are the three top choices, followed by domains (22.4%).
At a recent meeting, Early Childhood 2010 — Innovation for the Next Generation, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan discussed the Early Learning Challenge Fund and the push to create more competitive early childhood programs. “Like Race to the Top, this program would reward states that are leading the way with bold plans to improve early learning,” said Duncan. “We’ll be looking to fund states that are improving access to high-quality programs and are building a coordinated system of early care and education.”
For more information on the EMR report, contact Bob Resnick at 718-474-0133. As part of AEP’s partnership with EMR, AEP members receive substantial discounts on research reports. Find out more.
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