NIEER Assistant Research Professor Allison FriedmanKrauss was a speker during the 2017 Child Care and Early Education Policy Research Consortium Annual Meeting regarding policy implications of new research on qualifications and compensation of the early childhood workforce.
Dr. Friedman-Krauss, co-author of the groundbreaking State(s) of Head Start report, discussed variations in Head Start teacher qualifications, compensation, and turnover across states. The report, published in December 2016, focuses on the 2014-2015 program year but also provides longitudinal data beginning with the 2006-2007 program year.
Conclusions
• Progress has been made since the 2007 Head Start Reauthorization
• National Academy of Sciences recommends teachers of ALL children have at least a 4-year college degree
• Some evidence that teacher qualifications are related to classroom practices
• Lack of salary parity in most states
• And high turnover
• Need for improved teacher salary and benefits to recruit and retain strong teachers, and reduce their stress