| Alaska
SEED
The Alaska System for Early Education Development (SEED) is a professional
development system for providers of early care and learning in Alaska. Based at the
University of Alaska Southeast, SEED is a collaborative of the University of Alaska
Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Rural Alaska, the state’s regional
Childcare Resource and Referral Agencies, Head Start, the Tribal Childcare Association,
State of Alaska Departments of Education and Early Development, Health and Social Services,
Labor, and other nonprofit agencies in Alaska.
The system is built on a career development philosophy. It
assumes that, while some workers will enter the field with
college degrees ready to assume roles with high levels of
responsibility, the majority will enter the field without
degrees or other credentials. They will participate in some
limited pre-service training followed by ongoing training
while they are employed. The ongoing training serves, in a
sense, as a pre-service training for their next role. In order
to maximize opportunities for professional development and
career advancement, training should count towards recognized
credentials. By developing a system that is recognized statewide,
SEED:
- Builds and expands existing education and training opportunities.
- Promotes professionalism.
- Moves trainees towards the CDA credential and college
credit.
- Stimulates specialized training that may not be currently
available.
- Standardizes documentation of education and training
in the field.
- Makes more training accessible to more people.
- Documents individual education and training.
- Offers recognition for continuing professional development.
- Promotes pay that is commensurate with knowledge and skill.
Alaska SEED Registry Project
What is the SEED Registry?
The SEED Registry is Alaska’s Recognition System for Early Childhood Educators. As a core component of the Alaska System for Early Education Development (SEED), the Registry provides the vital link between the various aspects of the Professional Development system within Alaska. By establishing credentialing standards, the Registry has the capacity of evaluating each Child Care Professional’s unique training background to demonstrate their individual qualifications essential to quality child care. The registry will provide all participants with a certificate reflecting their achievements; this certificate will assist the provider in conveying a professional image that reflects their dedication to the Early Education field.
Who should join?
The SEED Registry is designed to embrace all those who work with young children and their families that make up the broad field of Alaskan Early Childhood Care and Education Professionals. This includes Head Start, family and center-based child care providers, child care directors, administrators, all teachers of children preschool through grade three, support organization staff, and those individuals providing training for Early Childhood Care practitioners.
Why should I join?
SEED Registry membership will provide an individual practitioner with tangible recognition of professional qualities and information to help define and attain career goals while providing recognition in the professional community of Early Childhood Educators. SEED Registry membership will provide individuals and agencies, which provide training for Early Childhood Professionals, with an ability to list Professional Development opportunities within a linked system.
How can I join?
To become a member of the SEED Registry, you need to complete and submit a Registry application with the appropriate documentation and application fee. Applications may be downloaded from the SEED website at http://seed.alaska.edu/ or by contacting your regional Resource and Referral Agency.
What does it cost to join?
The Registry cost is based on whether you are applying for initial membership ($25.00) or are renewing your membership ($15.00).
In an effort to assure that all Alaska's children spend their
early years in a safe, healthy, respectful, loving, and nurturing
environment, SEED has developed a framework that outlines
a professional development path for early educators.
The framework is presented below. You may also find out more information by visiting
the SEED website at http://seed.alaska.edu/
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