Strategic Plan 2005-2006
Association for Childhood Education International

Mission of ACEI

The Mission of ACEI is to promote and support in the global community the optimal education and development of children, from birth through early adolescence, and to influence the professional growth of educators and the efforts of others who are committed to the needs of children in a changing society.

Purposes of ACEI

• To promote the inherent rights, education, and well-being of all children in the home, school, and community
• To work for desirable conditions, programs, and practices for children from infancy through early adolescence
• To bring into active cooperation all individuals and groups concerned with children
• To raise the standard of preparation for those actively involved with the care and development of children
• To encourage continuous professional growth of educators
• To focus the public's attention on the rights and needs of children and on the ways various programs must be adjusted to fit those rights and needs.

To achieve these purposes, ACEI is guided by a dynamic philosophy of education that is flexible and responsive to human needs in a changing society (ACEI Constitution, Article II).

For more than 100 years, ACEI members have shared a dual commitment to the fulfillment of every child's potential and to the professional development of the classroom teacher. ACEI members are dedicated to an enlightened, child-centered approach to education that respects the child's developmental experiences at home, in school, and in the community. This philosophy is reflected in all professional programs, including publications, resource materials, topic workshops, and conferences. Members represent every segment of the preschool, elementary, and middle-school fields, and include child care providers, teachers and teachers-in-training, administrators, researchers, teacher educators, and institutional subscribers.

With input from the membership-at-large, committees, local, state/province and national leaders, and Headquarters staff, the Executive Board plans strategic goals for the Association for the coming year and beyond. The organization uses the Strategic Plan as a guide when planning programs and services. The activities listed below are those that the respective committees and the Presidents' Council plan to accomplish in 2004-2005 to help ACEI meet its Strategic Goals.

Strategic Goals and Plan of Action

GOAL ONE

TO PROMOTE ACEI'S MISSION AND WORK IN THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY

Awards Committee

• Recruit members for the committee from outside the United States in order to expand focus more globally.

Conference Committee

• Continue to encourage the submission of foreign-language proposals (no translation provided).

Diversity Concerns Committee

• Encourage submission of proposals focusing attention on diversity issues in education and encouraging involvement in ACEI activities.
• Encourage/support a more culturally diverse ACEI membership at all levels.

Heritage Committee

• Gather autobiographies of past and present members for inclusion in ACEI Archives.

Infancy/Early Childhood Committee

• Prepare articles that focus on global issues for publication in ACEI's Focus Quarterly publications.
• Sponsor a Special Session on infants at the 2005 Annual Conference.

Intermediate/Middle Childhood Committee

• Actively recruit more members from diverse and international cultures for membership in the Intermediate/Middle Childhood Committee.

International/Intercultural Committee

• Conduct a survey to gather information that addresses the needs of international teachers.
• Develop a position paper pending Executive Board approval.
• Mail welcome letters to members attending the 2005 Annual Conference from outside of the United States.
• Identify volunteers to assist first-time members attending the Annual Conference from outside the United States.
• Write articles for the ACEI Exchange and Childhood Education to increase international awareness.

Membership Committee

• Pursue promotional opportunities to reach community college education students, childcare providers, and CDA credential candidates (i.e., ACCESS, Campus Child Care Coalition).
• Retain and increase Basic Membership populations (CDA candidates, franchise child care centers, etc.).
• Advertise additional professional materials to Basic Members by including more generic promotional information in conference advertising, web links from the ACEI Exchange, and Focus Quarterly publications.
• Educate Branch leaders about all information and benefits available to members through publications such as the Leader News.
• Develop survey questions with other appropriate committees, such as the Presidents' Council, to determine the needs and interests of ACEI members. If possible, use an outside vendor to prepare and disseminate the survey.
• Increase participation at the Annual Conference by encouraging present and potential members to attend with the advance distribution of advertising posters and conference booklets.

Nominating Committee

• Actively seek highly qualified candidates for election to the ACEI Executive Board.

Presidents' Council

• Network with groups (i.e., UNICEF, World Food Organization) who are conducting projects outside of the United States, and take part in their projects.
• Encourage all Branches/members to adopt a global focus project that would have an impact on the lives of children.

Professional Standards/Teacher Education Committee

• Establish a committee web site with a link to the ACEI web page.
• Compile an E-mail/mail list of ACEI higher education members. Increase communication with them by inviting them to committee meetings at the 2005 Annual Conference and distributing a survey to them to gather feedback.

Public Affairs Committee

• Continue to work with UNICEF and the other NGO's in support of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• Continue to recruit Speaker's Bureau and Media Representatives from outside the United States.
• Increase global perspective by connecting with the International/Intercultural Committee and by identifying issues through the World Forum Alliance.
• Continue to encourage the distribution of Press Kits to members to empower local advocacy on behalf of ACEI.
• Establish ongoing communication with OMEP, and partner with OMEP and the World Forum Alliance for features in The Activist.
• Support continuing international advocacy via The Global Education and Care in the 21st Century document.
• Act on the Resolution for Peace (2004).
• Act on the Resolution to Reaffirm Educators in the Education Profession (2004).

Publications Committee

• Address global concerns with an International Theme Issue of Childhood Education, "Challenging Issues and Rays of Hope."
• Continue working with individuals from outside the U.S. as Guest Editors.
• Publish the book Working With Chinese American Children and Their Families.
• Publish the pamphlet on visiting schools in the U.S. and abroad.

Research Committee

• Further promote the submission and review of international research proposals.
• List E-mail information for each presenter in the conference program.

Student Committee

• Work with the International/Intercultural Committee to support ACEI Branches in other countries.
• Develop a student link on the main ACEI web page to help strengthen communication between Branches.

Technology Committee

• Attract larger international participation in the Virtual Presentations by working towards making these presentations available for a longer period of time and allowing all members to view the keynotes through webcast.

Week of the Classroom Teacher

• Promote the Week of the Classroom Teacher (WOCT) activities as widely as possible within the USA and in International Branches of ACEI.
• Write a column for The Activist newsletter on the 2005 WOCT theme of "Empowering Teachers for the Future."
• Increase the number of State Governors who proclaim the Week of the Classroom Teacher.
• Develop updated promotional materials for Week of the Classroom Teacher.
• Continue researching and drafting the position statement "Teachers in the Lives of Children".
• Plan a Celebration Breakfast for the 2005 Annual Conference featuring the Adopt-A-Teacher program.
• Involve student members in planning the Week of the Classroom Teacher.

GOAL TWO

TO PROMOTE ACEI'S LONG-STANDING COMMITMENT TO THE WHOLE CHILD AND THE WHOLE CURRICULUM

Awards Committee

• Continue our commitment to the whole child and curriculum, as well as excellence in leadership and teaching through our recognition of deserving individuals.

Conference Committee

• Continue inclusion of virtual presentations in the 2005 Annual Conference.

Diversity Concerns Committee

• Submit at least one article focusing on diversity issues to the ACEI Exchange.

Heritage Committee

• Present sessions at the 2005 Annual Conference on nurturing children's development through the use of Froebel's Gifts and Occupations.

Infancy/Early Childhood Committee

• At the 2005 Annual Conference, sponsor a special follow-up session to the 2004 Special Panel Session entitled "Issues and Trends in Standards-Based Infancy/Early Childhood Education Worldwide".

Intermediate/Middle Childhood Committee

• Promote commitment to the whole child by sharing current research and issues specific to intermediate/middle level children in a variety of venues.

Presidents' Council

• Encourage Branches and members to volunteer to work with children's groups or for organizations that benefit children.

Public Affairs Committee

• Continue to encourage and engage in collaborative partnerships and discussions with other affiliate organizations and agencies in guiding and implementing effective change for all children.
• Continue to produce timely press releases, articles, position statements, and resolutions that address development of the whole child.
• Increase the awareness of the membership to current relevant topics through advocacy and advocacy training.

Publications Committee

• Maintain and strengthen ACEI's use of journal and Focus Quarterly articles, columns, theme issues, position statements, and special publications to address timely issues in education.
• Pursue special publications on outdoor play, developmental benefits of playground equipment, play, and transdisciplinary teaming.
• Pursue publishing projects in connection with children's health organizations.

Research Committee

• Provide on-line resources to assist in improving written proposals and preparation of presentations.

Retired Member Committee

• Continue mentoring teachers and working with children in a variety of ways.

Student Committee

• Sponsor two "Make'n Take Sessions" at the 2005 Annual Conference.
• Develop a Student Track at the 2005 Annual Conference to offer sessions students could attend that will be professionally relevant to students.

Technology Committee

• Promote online the dissemination of information supporting current best practices.
• Encourage and advise ACEI on ways to increase interactions of members through online communities.

Week of the Classroom Teacher Committee

• Encourage State Departments of Education websites to have a link to the Week of the Classroom Teacher on ACEI's website.
• Encourage PTA websites to have a link to the Week of the Classroom Teacher on ACEI's website.

GOAL THREE

TO SUSTAIN ACEI'S LEADERSHIP ROLE IN ENSURING EXCELLENCE IN THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN BIRTH THROUGH EARLY ADOLESCENCE

Awards Committee

• Continue our commitment to the whole child and curriculum, as well as excellence in leadership and teaching through our recognition of deserving individuals.

Diversity Concerns Committee

• Sponsor a special session during the 2005 Annual Conference featuring the work of G. Pritchey Smith.
• Author a book on diversity incorporating case studies and insights into diversity in education.

Infancy/Early Childhood Committee

• Continue to participate in the Member-Get-A-Member campaign with each member of the Infancy/Early Childhood Committee recruiting at least one new ACEI member.

Intermediate/Middle Childhood Committee

• Develop an ACEI pamphlet that focuses on diverse practices, policies and politics of educational designs with instructional and motivational strategies specific to the intermediate/middle level child.
• Administer a survey to recent immigrants and students from minority cultures to collect the data.
• Continue to explore practices, policies, and politics of educational designs of international schools.

Membership Committee

• Make available the ACEI Leadership Training Session on the ACEI Website.
• Place online selected portions of the Branch Manual and successful ideas about leadership development in an "Idea Tool Box" resource for easy access by members.
• Update the Speakers' Bureau list and disseminate the information to educators (Branches, schools, parent groups, colleges, community groups, etc.) to promote sound educational practices by ACEI member experts.
• Investigate obtaining high quality, cutting-edge, "big name" speakers to promote educational excellence and draw large numbers of educators to ACEI's Annual Conferences.
• Disseminate ideas in a written form from the Leadership Training Workshop for those unable to attend and as a resource for future leaders.

Presidents' Council

• Encourage all Branches and members to conduct a children's event or community service project that focuses on children.
• Encourage all Branches/members to work towards the Branch Excellence Award.

Professional Standards/Teacher Education Committee

• Address timely topics via the Committee's column in the ACEI Exchange.
• Distribute a survey identifying higher education issues/interests for future publications and Committee Sponsored Sessions.

Public Affairs Committee

• Work with Publications Committee to revise 1973 Position Paper on Children and War.
• Update and follow-up on past ACEI resolutions that are still pertinent to current ACEI policy and discard resolutions that are no longer relevant to the mission of the organization.
• Explore collaborative efforts with the Publications Committee to review, update, and rewrite Position Papers.
• Forward recommendations made at both the Public Affairs Forum and Town Meeting to appropriate committees.
• Investigate avenues to expand The Global Education and Care in the 21st Century document to include older children.

Publications Committee

• Pursue special publications on the adaption of curriculum.
• Seek to adopt a comprehensive membership plan to provide long-term dissemination of resources that would help ensure excellence in education and provide an incentive to join the association and benefit from its work.

Research Committee

• Volunteer to review ACEI publications.

Student Committee

• Continue encouraging students to submit articles for the "Student Slant" ACEI Exchange column.
• Annually publish two issues of the ACEI Student Connection newsletter.

Week of the Classroom Teacher Committee

• Collaborate with the International/Intercultural Committee to jointly sponsor a session at the 2005 Annual Conference.

GOAL FOUR

TO SUPPORT ACEI'S UNIQUE LEADERSHIP ROLE IN ENSURING EXCELLENCE IN TEACHER EDUCATION GLOBALLY

Conference Committee

• The 2005 Annual Conference will be March 23-26, 2005 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, DC, the 2006 Annual Conference will be held in San Antonio, TX, and the 2007 Annual Conference will take place in Las Vegas, NV.

Diversity Concerns Committee

• Plan a joint special session with the Student Committee for the 2005 Annual Conference to gain an understanding of the knowledge bases for a better diversity.

Herigate Committee

• Encourage the use of Froebel's Gifts and Occupations which will stimulate excellence in elementary teacher education.

Infancy/Early Childhood Committee

• Plan and host a luncheon at the 2005 Annual Conference that will focus on standards for infancy/early childhood programs around the world.

Intermediate/Middle Childhood Committee

• Share innovative "best practices" through a variety of publications.
• Encourage committee members to apply to become ACEI/NCATE Reviewers.

Presidents' Council

• Encourage all Branches and members to mentor a first-year teacher or childcare provider.
• Encourage all Branches and members to support college students in another country.
• Encourage all Branches and members to support President Blackwell's Adopt-A-Teacher initiative.

Professional Standards/Teacher Education Committee

• Support the ACEI Program Review Process by having each committee member recruit one new reviewer.
• Clarify language used in defining the role of Trainer and Consultant in the NCATE Review Process.
• Train and retrain new Program Reviewers on the Program Report Template and the ACEI Report Institution Template used for NCATE.

Public Affairs Committee

• Continue using The Activist as a means of disseminating current and relevant ACEI issues and to promote advocacy among the membership.
• Encourage the use of the Committee Chair Luncheon as a working session to promote collaboration among committees to generate collaborative efforts between the Public Affairs Committee and all other ACEI committees.
• Work toward putting the Resolution to Reaffirm Educators in the Education Profession (2004) into practice.

Publications Committee

• Address the needs and concerns of teacher educators through articles in Focus on Teacher Education, Childhood Education articles, and the Journal of Research in Childhood Education, as well as through special publications.
• Offer Focus on Teacher Education in electronic format.
• Pursue a special publication on transdisciplinary teaming.
• Build prestige of the Focus Quarterly publications as a means of professional development.

Research Committee

• Continue to write an article for The Activist. Include the results of the research proposal review process and updates.
• Develop a special session/forum for student research presentations at the Annual Conference.

Retired Member Committee

• Remain active in providing a leadership role in elementary, K-8, and preschool education.

Student Committee

• Continue to work with the Week of the Classroom Teacher Committee in order to honor the invaluable service of educators around the globe.

Week of the Classroom Teacher

• Promote a special session at the 2005 Annual Conference on the theme of "Teacher Education: What can we learn from various cultures?".

Giving Teachers a World of Support

ASSOCIATION FOR CHILDHOOD EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL
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