The Connecticut Charts-a-Course Career Ladder

The Career Ladder is an easy to understand display of steps in a person's professional development advancement from entry level training through the various degree programs. It is based on research that shows the value of specialty training in early childhood education and development, in addition to the completion of college degrees. You may enter at any level of the career ladder as long as you meet the requirements for that particular step. The Career Ladder is designed to reflect current state and national qualifications and standards for teaching young children.

You can view the requirements for each step by rolling your mouse over the number designating a step on the ladder. Click here for a printable diagram of the career ladder.

My Career Ladder

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Early Childhood Education (ECE) degrees include:

• Degrees in Early Childhood Education and Child Studies, Child Development, Human Development and Family Relations, Special Education, Home Economics/Child Development or similar majors with a concentration in ECE courses. A teaching certificate with an early childhood endorsement also qualifies as an ECE degree.

Early Childhood Education (ECE) credits must include:

• Study of the education or development of young children less than five years of age.

After School Education (ASE) degrees include:

• Degrees in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Youth Studies, Child Development, Recreation, Family Social Sciences and Elementary Education and applies ONLY to After School Education professionals working in an after school program.