UWW Whitewater Masters

Early Childhood Education Policy

Due to recent workforce shifts, early childhood educators have emerged as an essential resource, and there exists a dire need for early childhood education advocacy in the larger legislative and education policy arena. With the Early Childhood Education Policy program, students will learn the essential interdisciplinary insights necessary for successful cross-sector collaboration to address early childhood education system solutions. Through study in this program, students will become policy leaders ready to work with schools, non-profit organizations, governmental agencies, advocacy groups, and institutes of higher education to focus on inclusion and support for all children and families. The 30-credit program is designed for both professionals and recent college graduates who aspire to advance their careers through a focus on policy studies.

Synthesis Paper

Tying it all together. Connecting the Learning Objectives to the most meaningful artifacts, along with a narrative of my journey in learning throughout the UWW Master's program, outlining how the content of the MSE ECEP applies through my current and future work related to ECEC projects, advocacy and collaboration with related agencies, as well as a reflection applying leadership ideas gleaned from this experience. 

The Rise of Universal Childcare 

From Theory to Practice: A study of the historical and theoretical foundations, current models and practices, and significant research regarding early childhood education.

Learning Objectives
  • Discuss the influence of social, political, historical, and economic conditions on early childhood educational practice and policy. 
  • Work as a change agent and advocate for children, families, and early childhood education professionals by leading and supporting policy efforts to move towards a targeted improvement or goal. 
  • Explore, analyze, and synthesize an understanding of the context of early childhood education in relation to identity politics and access to education for all children, families, and community members
  • Demonstrate an ability and commitment to engage in professional, collaborative relationships with children, families, administrators, policy leaders, legislators, and community members
  • Demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to, the legal and ethical norms of early childhood education
  • Present evidence and communicate effectively in written, visual, oral, and online formats to achieve desired outcomes in the field of early childhood education and policy.

Across the country, conversations about universal childcare have gained momentum as states look for ways to address workforce shortages, rising childcare costs, and unequal access to high-quality early learning. What was once viewed primarily as a family issue is now increasingly recognized as an economic issue that affects employers, communities, and the future workforce.

Rather than viewing childcare solely as an educational service or a family responsibility, policymakers are increasingly recognizing it as essential public infrastructure that supports economic growth and community well-being.

Wisconsin has made meaningful progress through initiatives such as Child Care Counts, Get Kids Ready, Wisconsin Shares, YoungStar, and workforce development programs, demonstrating a growing commitment to strengthening the state's early childhood system. However, recent policy changes have also revealed challenges that must be addressed to ensure long-term sustainability. 

Leadership and Reflection

Policy, Leadership and Advocacy: Reflecting on oneself as a leader and advocate for policy and change in Early Childhood Education. 

Learning Objectives
  • Work as a change agent and advocate for children, families, and early childhood education professionals by leading and supporting policy efforts to move towards a targeted improvement or goal.
  • Demonstrate an ability and commitment to engage in professional, collaborative relationships with children, families, administrators, policy leaders, legislators, and community members.
  • Present evidence and communicate effectively in written, visual, oral, and online formats to achieve desired outcomes in the field of early childhood education and policy.

Evaluating Education and Action Research

Understand the Get Kids Ready policy, identify and analyze benefits and challenges to the policy, reflect on real-world implications to ECE

Learning Objectives
  • Work as a change agent and advocate for children, families, and early childhood education professionals by leading and supporting policy efforts to move towards a targeted improvement or goal
  • Demonstrate an ability and commitment to engage in professional,
    collaborative relationships with children, families, administrators, policy leaders, legislators, and community members.
  • Present evidence and communicate effectively in written, visual, oral, and online formats to achieve desired outcomes in the field of early childhood education and policy

Current Issues in Early Childhood Education

Identification of significant issues and consideration of research having an impact on emerging trends as well as current practices in early childhood education.

Learning Objectives
  • Work as a change agent and advocate for children, families, and
    early childhood education professionals by leading and supporting policy efforts to move towards a targeted improvement or goal.
  • Demonstrate an ability and commitment to engage in professional,
    collaborative relationships with children, families, administrators, policy leaders, legislators, and community members
  • Present evidence and communicate effectively in written, visual, oral, and online formats to achieve desired outcomes in the field of early childhood education and policy.
  • Articulate a personal philosophy of early childhood education as it relates to policy systems and practice
  • Identify a salient issue/problem, analyze current research, and apply it to practice in early childhood education and policy.
  • Create and implement relevant plans for early childhood curriculum and pedagogy.

RECE Conference: Coming soon

Child Care Crisis

There is a childcare crisis in our community, Wisconsin, and nationally. For this analysis, I would like to focus on the childcare crisis as it directly relates to the community of Cambridge as well as Dane and Jefferson counties in Wisconsin.

Learning Objectives
  • Discuss the influence of social, political, historical, and economic conditions on early childhood educational practice and policy
  • Work as a change agent and advocate for children, families, and early childhood education professionals by leading and supporting policy efforts to move towards a targeted improvement or goal
  • Explore, analyze, and synthesize an understanding of the context of early childhood education in relation to identity politics and access to education for all children, families, and community members
  • Demonstrate an ability and commitment to engage in professional,
    collaborative relationships with children, families, administrators, policy leaders, legislators, and community members.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to, the legal and ethical norms of early childhood education
  • Present evidence and communicate effectively in written, visual, oral, and online formats to achieve desired outcomes in the field of early childhood education and policy
  • Identify a salient issue/problem, analyze current research, and apply it to practice in early childhood education and policy

Critical Analysis

Learning Objectives
  • Work as a change agent and advocate for children, families, and
    early childhood education professionals by leading and supporting policy efforts to move towards a targeted improvement or goal
  • Demonstrate an ability and commitment to engage in professional,
    collaborative relationships with children, families, administrators, policy leaders, legislators, and community members.
  • Present evidence and communicate effectively in written, visual, oral, and online formats to achieve desired outcomes in the field of early childhood education and policy.
  • Create and implement relevant plans for early childhood curriculum and pedagogy.

Learning Goals

UW Whitewater Master's in Early Childhood Education Policy

Great Leaders don't set out to be a Leader. They set out to make a difference. It's never about the role- always about the goal.