Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) - Early Childhood Education - Pedagogy

Early Childhood Education

Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI)

 

The Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) is a not-for-profit professional organization of educators, parents, and other caregivers interested in promoting the highest quality educational practices. More specifically, its mission, as presented on the ACEI Web site, is “to promote and support in the global community the optimal education and development of children, from birth through early adolescence, and to influence the professional growth of educators and the efforts of others who are committed to the needs of children in a changing society.”

ACEI was founded in 1892 by a group of kindergarten teachers who wished to expand the pioneering work with young children begun by Friedrich Frobel in Germany during the 1820s and 1830s. Since that time, the organization’s goals (as defined in its constitution) have expanded to include the following:

• The promotion of the inherent rights, education, and well-being of all children in the home, school, and community.

• The promotion of desirable conditions, programs, and practices for children from infancy through early adolescence.

• The raising of the standard of preparation for teachers and others who are involved with the care and development of children.

• The encouragement of continuous professional growth of educators.

• The promotion of active cooperation among all individuals and groups concerned with children.

• Informing the public of the needs of children and the ways in which various programs must be adjusted to fit those needs and rights.

To achieve its goals, ACEI has a membership of nearly 10,000 professionals throughout the United States and sixty other countries. The organization hosts an annual conference that features national and international presenters who focus on a broad range of topics of interest to educators worldwide. The organization also plans a world conference outside the United States every three years. Further, the voice of ACEI is shared with the world through its award-winning journals, such as Childhood Education and the Journal of Research in Childhood Education. In addition to its prestigious journals, ACEI has an extensive publication program that includes: Focus Newsletters, position papers on contemporary problems and issues, “ACEI Speaks” pamphlets that provide concise information on topics of general concern, and a host of books and resources. The association’s goals are also supported through its active liaison with various government agencies, such as the United Nations, the National Commission for the Rights of Children, and the Alliance for Curriculum Reform. Finally, to achieve its mission of providing children with high-quality education, ACEI serves as the lead organization responsible for accreditation of teacher education programs through the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

The association actively seeks volunteers for its many committees, which provide direction to the organization. Committees include Awards, Conference, Diversity, Heritage, Infancy/Early Childhood, Intermediate/Middle Childhood, International/Intercultural, Membership, Nominating, Professional Standards/Teacher Education, Program Development, Public Affairs, Publications, Research, Retired Members, Student, Technology, and Week of the Classroom Teacher.

For additional information, view the organization’s Web site at www.acei.org or contact ACEI directly at the following address:

17904 Georgia Avenue, Suite 215

Olney, MD 20832-2277

(301) 570-2111 or (800) 423-3563

Fax (301) 570-2212

Jim Hoot