The Association at Work

As it works on behalf of children and those who work with children, the Association:

Publishes materials to guide adults who work for children:
Supports the work of committees to study current problems, practices, and materials that affect children; to report their results to the Association through interest group meetings, at conferences, and in materials for publication.

Develops a Strategic Plan of action for children and the education profession that reflects the most pertinent needs of children and teachers as expressed by the membership and in keeping with the philosophy of ACEI; it outlines ways these needs can be met by ACEI Committees.

Plans and hosts an annual conference to provide opportunities for members, and nonmembers to study and discuss current developments and problems related to children and education, to exchange ideas and experiences.

Gives guidance to ACEI Branches through publications, Branch development materials, leadership workshops, and the annual conference.

Through the years the Association has planned its program and publications to meet the changing times and the concerns of members. The following activities illustrate the depth and diversity of its involvement on the educational scene.

Provided leadership at state and national levels in preparing for the decennial White House Conferences for Children and Youth (1940-1960)

Worked for the creation of a Children's Book Section in the Library of Congress--in cooperation with the American Association of University Women and later also with the American Library Association (1945- 1962).

Supported UNESCO since its inception, cooperated with various national committees devoted to UNESCO's interests; accredited as a non-governmental organization by the United Nations Office of Public Information and has a representative who keeps ACEI informed of current international concerns for children; approved designation of October 31 as UNICEF DAY (1945- present).

Collected school equipment and furniture, photos and publications for educators in Germany (1947 and 1950- 51), the Near East and the Far East (1951- 52) under grants from the U.S. Government.

Issued statements expressing the Association's philosophy, such as "Declaration of Faith" (1958); "Kindergarten Graduation? No!! And Why Not" (1961); "Color Book Craze" (1964); "Shall We Teach Formal Reading in the Kindergarten?" (1965); "Basic Propositions for Early Childhood Education" (1965).

Prepared a statement on "Standards for Early Childhood Education" to assist colleges and universities in establishing training programs and school systems in seeking preschool personnel (1959).

Based on a 2000 Symposium in Zurich, Switzerland, jointed sponsored by ACEI and OMEP, developed and published World Guidelines for Early Childhood Education and Care in the 21st Century.

Provided materials for kindergarten kits for Chile after an earthquake, at the request of the American Red Cross (1960 - 61).

Contributed to Project Head Start through leadership and consultant help in developing curriculum materials; sent free packets of publications to Head Start regional training officers and institutions training Head Start personnel; established a Resource Center at the Childhood Education Center (1964 -1968).

Prepared position papers on topics of concern to members: Effective Learning and Teacher Pupil Ratios, On Reading, The Banning of Corporal Punishment in Child Care, School, and Other Educative Settings in the United States, The Child-Centered Kindergarten, On Standardized Testing, Play, A Necessity for All Children, The Right to Quality Child Care, Preparation of Early Childhood Teachers, Preparation of Elementary Teachers, Child Centered Middle Schools, Child's Right to Humane Treatment, Children and War, The Child's Right to the Expressive Arts, Infants & Toddlers with Special Needs & Their Families.

Endorsed legislation affecting children by: supporting the school lunch program; supporting grant of U.S. funds to UNICEF (annually); testifying before the House Subcommittee on Education of the House Committee on Education and Labor regarding Elementary--Preschool Child Development Act (1965). In the 1990's ACEI became actively involved in the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Committee on the Girl Child with appointed representatives serving on the committees on a continuing basis.

Membership--both At-Large and Branch--encompasses many countries of the world, making the Association truly international. As ACEI celebrates its 110th Anniversary its members live in 57 countries around the world.

For a more comprehensive account of the history of the Association read 75 Years of Concern for Children, published in 1967, Childhood, 1892-1992, published in 1992, and Childhood 1892-2002, published in 2002.

The Association's Headquarters office in Olney, Maryland houses the ACEI Staff of fifteen persons who implement the decisions of the ACEI Executive Board, develop publications, provide services and materials to ACEI members and to the general public concerned with the education and well-being of children--infancy through adolescence.

Copyright 2002 by the Association for Childhood Education International. All rights reserved.

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