Child Development Associate
& P-TEACH
Program of Study
(CDA/P-TEACH)
There are three “levels” available for participating in the CDA/P-TEACH program.
P-TEACH Associates Degree Program:
The CDA/ P-TEACH Program at Clarksburg High School(CHS) has partnered with Montgomery College’s (MC) Early College Program to offer a pathway that empowers motivated students to graduate as College and Career Ready individuals. The pathway empowers students to earn an Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT); Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education alongside their Maryland High School Diploma. The courses are tuition-free, enabling students and their families to save both time and money. MC courses will be taught at CHS, at the Germantown campus and/or offered online. Child Development Associate Program of Study: Completing this CDA/P-TEACH Program of Study fulfills the Career Completer Requirement for Graduation. In order to complete this pathway students need to successfully complete EDU2029, EDU2031, EDU2032. They must also successfully complete CDA Internship Course ((EDU2028) OR take specific Dual Enrollment options. *If a student has more than 10 absences per semester, they will not earn the experiential learning hours required for the MCPS Graduation Completer Pathway. CDA Classes taken as Electives: Students are welcome to register for Child Development classes as electives; however, in the event that class space is limited, priority will be given to students doing the P-TEACH Associates Degree Program and the CDA Program of Study. |
MCPS is introducing the CDA/P-TEACH Program, a pioneering initiative at Clarksburg High School, providing high school students with a clear and direct pathway toward a fulfilling career in EDUCATION. The primary focus is to foster a diverse and highly qualified educational workforce, not only by increasing the number of candidates but also by expediting the process of launching a career in education. Alongside their Maryland High School Diploma, students will have the opportunity to earn college credit towards their Early Childhood Education/Special Education Associate Arts in Teaching from Montgomery College, without incurring any cost.
Within the CDA/P-TEACH Program, students will be immersed in invaluable observation and experiential learning opportunities spanning various age groups, disciplines, and educational settings, including special needs and non-classroom environments. These practical experiences will enhance the learning process, enriching students' knowledge and skills. *NOTE: As of 2023-2024, completing the Early Child Development Program of Study can once again fulfill the Career Completer Requirement for Graduation* 
Do you think the skills you are learning in CHILD DEVELOPMENT will help you later in life? |
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
CHILD GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT A/B (CDA 1) - EDU2029A / EDU2029B
This course focuses on child development birth through adolescence with emphasis on preschool development. Theories of development, the role of caregivers, family, health, safety and contemporary issues will be introduced. Students will explore special challenges to growth and development and will have opportunities for guided observation of children in a variety of settings. Students will begin to compile artifacts and written competency statements that are aligned with the required Child Development Associate (CDA) portfolio guidelines for preschool. Students will explore career pathways in Early Childhood Education and Child Care. During this course, students will have an opportunity to become directly involved with preschool students in the teaching-learning process by working directly with children in the Coyote Pups Preschool Lab.
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR PRESCHOOLERS (CDA 2 - ADVANCED LEVEL) A/B - EDU2031A / EDU2031B
This course focuses on learning environments for preschool care, as well as establishing positive, responsive, and cooperative relationships with families. Students will explore the relationship of health, nutrition and safety to learning. Students will establish strategies to support a safe, healthy learning environment for preschool care while meeting best practice and regulated requirements for quality learning environments. Students will continue to explore physical and cognitive development and competencies for preschool care. The preschool classroom environment will support social and emotional development and provide opportunities for positive guidance. Students will continue to develop components of a professional CDA Preschool portfolio. During this course, students will have an opportunity to become directly involved with preschool students in the teaching-learning process by working directly with children in the Coyote Pups Preschool Lab.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE PORTFOLIO A/B (CDA 3 - ADVANCED LEVEL)- EDU2032A / EDU2032B
This course provides opportunities for students to complete a preschool professional portfolio. Students will obtain experiential learning hours in the Preschool Lab; Coyote Pups Preschool. Students will translate classroom observations into effective teaching and management practices. Students will observe, document and assess preschool development and use multiple sources of evidence to set goals and develop lesson plans in response to the developmental needs of all children. During this course, students will have an opportunity to become directly involved with preschool students in the teaching-learning process by working directly with children in the Coyote Pups Preschool Lab.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE INTERNSHIP A/B (CDA 4 - ADVANCED LEVEL) - EDU2028A/EDU2028B
Internship students have the opportunity to intern in grades pre-k through grade 8 in Clarksburg cluster schools for 2 periods each day. Collaborating with mentor teachers and other professionals in educational settings, students participate in program-specific learning, leadership seminars, networking opportunities, and relevant workplace experiences. They analyze the impact that leadership theories; professional ethics; current trends; and parent, community, and government organizations have on contemporary education and the child care industry. This internship is an Advanced Level Course. This course is offered periods 6,7 & 8, you will be assigned period 6 as a travel period to commute to the intern site. Reliable transportation is required.
CHILD GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT A/B (CDA 1) - EDU2029A / EDU2029B
This course focuses on child development birth through adolescence with emphasis on preschool development. Theories of development, the role of caregivers, family, health, safety and contemporary issues will be introduced. Students will explore special challenges to growth and development and will have opportunities for guided observation of children in a variety of settings. Students will begin to compile artifacts and written competency statements that are aligned with the required Child Development Associate (CDA) portfolio guidelines for preschool. Students will explore career pathways in Early Childhood Education and Child Care. During this course, students will have an opportunity to become directly involved with preschool students in the teaching-learning process by working directly with children in the Coyote Pups Preschool Lab.
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR PRESCHOOLERS (CDA 2 - ADVANCED LEVEL) A/B - EDU2031A / EDU2031B
This course focuses on learning environments for preschool care, as well as establishing positive, responsive, and cooperative relationships with families. Students will explore the relationship of health, nutrition and safety to learning. Students will establish strategies to support a safe, healthy learning environment for preschool care while meeting best practice and regulated requirements for quality learning environments. Students will continue to explore physical and cognitive development and competencies for preschool care. The preschool classroom environment will support social and emotional development and provide opportunities for positive guidance. Students will continue to develop components of a professional CDA Preschool portfolio. During this course, students will have an opportunity to become directly involved with preschool students in the teaching-learning process by working directly with children in the Coyote Pups Preschool Lab.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE PORTFOLIO A/B (CDA 3 - ADVANCED LEVEL)- EDU2032A / EDU2032B
This course provides opportunities for students to complete a preschool professional portfolio. Students will obtain experiential learning hours in the Preschool Lab; Coyote Pups Preschool. Students will translate classroom observations into effective teaching and management practices. Students will observe, document and assess preschool development and use multiple sources of evidence to set goals and develop lesson plans in response to the developmental needs of all children. During this course, students will have an opportunity to become directly involved with preschool students in the teaching-learning process by working directly with children in the Coyote Pups Preschool Lab.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE INTERNSHIP A/B (CDA 4 - ADVANCED LEVEL) - EDU2028A/EDU2028B
Internship students have the opportunity to intern in grades pre-k through grade 8 in Clarksburg cluster schools for 2 periods each day. Collaborating with mentor teachers and other professionals in educational settings, students participate in program-specific learning, leadership seminars, networking opportunities, and relevant workplace experiences. They analyze the impact that leadership theories; professional ethics; current trends; and parent, community, and government organizations have on contemporary education and the child care industry. This internship is an Advanced Level Course. This course is offered periods 6,7 & 8, you will be assigned period 6 as a travel period to commute to the intern site. Reliable transportation is required.
