Toolbox Overview

The Illinois ECE Competency Toolbox includes a variety of resources supporting assessment within a competency-based system.

Webcast Series

View the Web Series short videos in a complete Playlist on YouTube or you can choose which video topic you would like to watch below.  

• Introduction to the ECE Competency Mini-Webinar Series
• Where Did the ECE Competencies Come From?
• Why Competencies?
• Overview of the ECE Competencies
• Stackable, Leveled Credentials
• Competencies, Core Courses and Credentials
• Mapping Curriculum to Competencies
• Assessing Performance with Competencies
• Tour of the ECE Assessment Toolbox
• Webinar with Charla Long, Executive Director of the Competency-Based Education Network I
• Webinar with Charla Long, Executive Director of the Competency-Based Education Network II
   

Modularization Series 2023

• Modularization Series #1 May 31, 2023
• Modularization Series #2 June 14, 2023
• Modularization Series #3 June 28, 2023
• Modularization Series #4 July 19, 2023

Toolbox Organization

Toolbox organization is based on the 7 Gateways Content Areas:

• CPD: Curriculum or Program Design
• FCR: Family and Community Relationships
• HGD: Human Growth and Development
• HSW: Health, Safety, and Well-Being
• IRE: Interactions, Relationships, and Environments
• OA: Observation and Assessment
• PPD: Personal and Professional Development

Assessments are included within each content area. The Assessments provided correspond to credential Levels (Level 2, 3, 4, and 5). Faculty select Assessments based on alignment between targeted competency and the highest leveled Assessment target.

Please note: Titles for each Assessment include Level and in some cases, Assessments include multiple choices for each level.

document Competency Assessment Guide (1.27 MB)
 

Master Rubrics

Master Rubrics are provided for each of the competencies included within the 7 Gateways Content Areas. Assessments can be designed based on using Master Rubrics in their entirety, or by using a unique compilation rubric rows.

Master Rubric Organization

Each Master Rubric includes the targeted competency in the column to the far left. Columns from left to right denote varying levels of proficiency for each targeted competency.

Master Rubric Color Coding Scheme

Master Rubrics are color coded based on Credential Levels rubric rows align to:

• Level 2 = Yellow
• Level 3 = Green
• Level 4 = Orange
• Level 5 = Blue

Gateways ECE Credential, NAEYC, IPEC, and InTASC Competency Alignment

pdf Gateways ECE Competency Alignments to NAEYC, IPEC, InTASC (650 KB)

Gateways to Opportunity® 2021 Reports

Modularization Videos

• Nuts and Bolts of Modularizing
• Benefits of Modularization in Context of Competency Based Education
• Guiding Factors in Modularizing
• Modularizing Courses: Transfer Considerations

Higher Education Forum

Thursday, April 20, 2023

• Gateways Higher Education Forum – Thursday Session
• Interest Sessions
  • Breaking Down the Language Barrier Creating a Spanish Language Associates Degree for Early Childhood Educators
  • Innovative Competency Based and Credit for Prior Learning Program Modules at NL

Friday, April 21, 2023

• pdf Higher Education & Early Childhood Landscape in Illinois (1.80 MB)
• Gateways Higher Education Forum – Friday Session
• Interest Sessions
  • Bilingual and ESL Approval Considerations
  • Building Equitable Pathways Through Braided ECE and English PLA
  • Panel on How to Intentionally Implement the Competency Modules

Gateways to Opportunity Higher Education Forum 2023 Materials and PowerPoints

• pdf 2023 Forum Agenda (416 KB)
• pdf 2023 Forum Speaker Bios (115 KB)
• pdf Bilingual and ESL Approval Considerations PPT (7.92 MB)
• pdf Breaking Down the Language Barrier Creating a Spanish Language Associates Degree (899 KB)
• pdf Building Equitable Pathways Through Braided ECE and English PLA (1.12 MB)
• pdf Higher Education Paths to Equity, Sustainability and Growth PPT (1.86 MB)
• pdf Implementing the Gateways Credential Competencies The Modularization of the ECE and ITC Competencies PPT (708 KB)
• pdf Innovative Competency Based and Credit for Prior Learning Program Models NLU (1.48 MB)
• pdf Session Description for April 20 and April 21, 2023 (102 KB)
• pdf What a Difference A Year Makes The Gateways ECE Level 2 Credential Virtual Reality based PLA Project (2.24 MB)