The Bay State Banner – Wayne Ysaguirre
“Preparing our children for a lifetime of learning requires accessibility to high-quality early education and care programs as well as a consistent, qualified workforce. Great educators are the key to improving outcomes for children. We know that, and it starts at birth, not in kindergarten. The existing career pathway for our early educator workforce is unsustainable. With an average salary range of $21,000-$25,000 and a turnover rate of 30 percent in our early learning and out-of-school programs, it becomes increasingly challenging to retain high-quality educators. Too many skilled teachers either leave early education for district K-12 schools that pay higher salaries or leave the field entirely. The state Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC) has long recognized the need for a career ladder to define professional growth in early education and out-of-school time, and its potential to remedy the inadequate compensation of educators in this field. In Massachusetts, there are more than 8,800 early education and care community-based programs employing over 40,000 people, with revenues of $1.5 billion. A meaningful investment in centers providing this elemental foundation for children is long overdue.”(more)