Hundreds Expected for 53rd Annual Early Childhood Education Conference, Aug. 5-7 – NEA Report

Report on the 53rd Annual Early Childhood Education Conference

Executive Summary

The 53rd annual Early Childhood Education Conference, scheduled for August 5-7, 2025, at the Red Wolf Convention Center on the Arkansas State University campus, represents a significant initiative in advancing professional development for educators. The event is strategically aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily focusing on SDG 4 (Quality Education). Through its theme of “collaborative partnerships,” the conference also directly supports SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) while contributing to SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Advancing SDG 4: Quality Education

Commitment to Lifelong Learning for Educators

For 53 years, the conference, under the direction of Jo Ann Nalley of A-State Childhood Services, has been a cornerstone for professional development in the region. This long-standing commitment directly addresses SDG Target 4.2, which aims to ensure that all children have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education. By equipping educators with advanced skills and knowledge, the conference enhances the quality of education delivered to children across the state.

The 2025 theme, “collaborative partnerships,” underscores the importance of a unified approach to achieving educational excellence. As stated by Director Nalley, “Early childhood and out-of-school time educators give their best for children all across our state each and every day, and we want to give our best to them at this conference.”

Innovative Pedagogical Approaches

The keynote address by Kelly Matthews will focus on a collaborative professional development model. Her philosophy of “‘learning with’ educators and not ‘telling to’” promotes an inclusive and participatory environment, which is essential for fostering the innovative teaching practices required to meet the ambitious targets of SDG 4.

Integration with Broader Sustainable Development Goals

Fostering Partnerships and Reducing Inequalities (SDG 17 & SDG 10)

The conference’s emphasis on collaborative partnerships is a direct enactment of SDG 17. By bringing together hundreds of professionals, the event creates a network for sharing best practices and resources. This collaboration is crucial for extending high-quality early childhood education to all communities, thereby addressing SDG 10 by working to reduce developmental and educational inequalities from the earliest stages of life.

Empowering Educators and Promoting Decent Work (SDG 5 & SDG 8)

The early childhood education sector is a significant employer, particularly for women. The conference contributes to SDG 5 by providing critical professional development and networking opportunities that empower women in their careers. Furthermore, the provision of accredited training, including Professional Development Registry (PDR) hours and Continuing Education Units (CEUs), professionalizes the field and supports SDG 8 by promoting decent work and sustained economic growth within the education sector.

Conference Program and Outcomes

Scheduled Activities

The three-day event is designed to provide a comprehensive and engaging learning experience. Key components include:

• Interest sessions on specialized topics
• Vendor booths showcasing educational resources
• Interactive pop-up experiences
• A culminating “fun fair” for hands-on activities

Professional Accreditation and Registration

Participants will have the opportunity to earn accredited hours for the Professional Development Registry (PDR) and Continuing Education Units (CEUs). This formal recognition of professional learning reinforces the conference’s role in upholding high standards for quality education, as outlined in SDG 4. Registration is available online for all interested professionals.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The article is centered on the 53rd annual Early Childhood Education Conference. This event directly supports the goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education by focusing on the professional development of educators who work with young children. The conference aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of “early childhood and out-of-school time educators,” which is fundamental to improving the quality of education from the earliest stages.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article highlights the importance of collaboration. The conference theme for 2025 is explicitly stated as focusing on “collaborative partnerships.” The event itself is an example of a partnership, bringing together Arkansas State University’s Childhood Services, educators from across the state, expert speakers like Kelly Matthews, and vendors. This aligns with SDG 17, which encourages multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.2: Ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education.

     The conference’s entire purpose is to improve the quality of early childhood education. By providing professional development, sharing “engaging activities that they can take back to their programs,” and focusing on the work of early childhood educators, the event directly contributes to enhancing the quality of development and care that children receive, preparing them for future education.

   • Target 4.c: Substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training.

     The article mentions that “Credit for Professional Development Registry (PDR) hours and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available to those attending.” This is a direct mechanism for educators to maintain and upgrade their qualifications. The conference serves as a platform for teacher training and professional development, which is essential for increasing the number of qualified educators as stipulated in this target.

2. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

     The conference is a partnership model in action. It is led by a university entity (A-State Childhood Services), involves professionals and educators (civil society), and includes vendor booths (private sector). The stated theme of “collaborative partnerships” explicitly reinforces the article’s connection to this target, promoting the idea that working together is “so important to the work we all do.”

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. For Target 4.2 (Quality Early Childhood Development):

   • Implied Indicator: Number of educators participating in professional development.

     The article states that “Hundreds of professionals are expected to gather.” The number of attendees at the conference serves as a direct indicator of the scale of effort being made to improve the quality of early childhood education in the region.

2. For Target 4.c (Supply of Qualified Teachers):

   • Implied Indicator: Number of professional development or continuing education credits awarded.

     The availability of “Credit for Professional Development Registry (PDR) hours and Continuing Education Units (CEUs)” is mentioned. The total number of these credits awarded through the conference would be a quantifiable indicator of progress toward ensuring educators meet and maintain their qualifications.

3. For Target 17.17 (Effective Partnerships):

   • Implied Indicator: Number of participating organizations and stakeholders.

     The article mentions the involvement of A-State Childhood Services, educators from “all across our state,” a keynote speaker from Wisconsin, and “vendor booths.” The number and diversity of these participating entities (public, academic, civil society, private) can be used as an indicator to measure the establishment and strengthening of multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: neareport.com