Sign in Subscribe
Youth

New Pre-Apprenticeship Program Opens Doors for Low-Income Students in Early Childhood Education

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The University of Nevada, Reno has launched a new pre-apprenticeship program in the College of Education & Human Development, providing opportunities for low-income, first-generation students from Washoe County School District Title I high schools. The program, made possible by a generous donation from The Dorothy Lemelson Foundation, allowed 19 high school juniors and seniors to explore early childhood education while earning college credit and gaining hands-on experience in classrooms.

Through this initiative, students gained a unique blend of on-the-job training and university classes, building career awareness, skills, post-secondary readiness, and work experience. The program was modeled after the successful Dean's Future Scholars' Youth College Internship program, which has run for 18 years. Students participated in classes, worked at the University's Child & Family Research Center, and interacted with children from infants to four years old, developing essential skills and qualities such as communication, patience, and emotional regulation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The pre-apprenticeship program was a collaborative effort between the University of Nevada, Reno, and The Dorothy Lemelson Foundation, providing opportunities for 19 low-income, first-generation students from Washoe County School District Title I high schools.
  • The program allowed students to earn college credit, gain hands-on experience in classrooms, and explore early childhood education as a career path.
  • Students participated in classes, such as HDFS 201: Lifespan Human Development and HDFS 202: Introduction to Families, taught in person at the College of Education & Human Development.
  • The program was entirely cost-free for students, with the foundation's support covering tuition, materials, background checks, parking passes, mentorship, and learning opportunities.
  • The program aimed to cultivate new early childhood education teachers by starting with young students and growing their own within the community.
  • Students considered the program a valuable experience, citing skills such as emotional regulation, communication, and patience as essential for working with young children.

Statistics:

  • 19 low-income, first-generation students from Washoe County School District Title I high schools participated in the program.
  • The program was made possible by a generous donation from The Dorothy Lemelson Foundation.
  • The program ran from June 16 to Aug. 8.
  • The Dean's Future Scholars' Youth College Internship program has operated for 18 years and follows a similar model.
  • The Child & Family Research Center is a University site used for the program, where students interacted with children from infants to four years old.

Sources:

  • University of Nevada Reno: A news release announcing the pre-apprenticeship program and its impact.
  • The Dorothy Lemelson Foundation: The foundation's support for the program, covering all costs for students.
  • Anarita Razo, Program Coordinator: Quotes regarding the program's goals and potential for cultivating new early childhood education teachers.

Read more