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Services

Technical Assistance and Training

Drawing on a network of technical experts from existing Step by Step programs as well as international consultants, ISSA provides in-country technical assistance in the strategy, implementation and evaluation of systemic reform initiatives in early childhood education. ISSA consultants bring experience and knowledge of successful reform initiatives throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.

For countries that want to engage in child-centered, community based early childhood education reform projects, ISSA provides a range of technical assistance services including: strategic planning, ongoing staff development and training, international study visits and a country mentoring system. By pairing new countries with experienced professionals, intense and consistent support is provided. Trainings are adapted to meet the needs of diverse audiences including parents, communities, teachers, administrators, teacher training pedagogues, and university professors. ISSA experts also provide training and consulting services to complement initiatives of other organizations. New trainings are developed each year in response to the needs of the Step by Step network. Click here to see a list of ISSA’s resources.

International Teacher Standards and Certification

To maintain the highest quality in all its programs, ISSA’s members have developed and implements an international system of standards which reflect best international practices and are compatible with standards endorsed by the European Union.

ISSA’s system of standards includes:

  • Step by Step Program and Teacher Standards for Preschool and Early Primary Grades
  • Trainings and Manuals for Certifiers
  • Trainings and Manuals for Teacher Trainers and Mentors
  • Self Assessment Manuals for Teachers
  • Step by Step Trainer Standards
  • Child Assessment form for 3 to 6 year olds
  • Child Assessment form for primary

Research

ISSA supports qualitative and quantitative research to evaluate the impact of its programs on children, teachers, families and communities. In cooperation with Ministries of Education, ISSA engages in longitudinal research to assess the impact of SbS programs on children’s progress and success in primary school. Individuals within the network are encouraged to pursue research on specialized topics, including bilingual language development, inclusion practices, children’s development, and elements of quality programs.

Measuring Psychosocial Outcomes in the Step by Step Program: A Longitudinal Study in the Czech Republic

by Miluse Havlinova, PhD, CSc, Researcher, National Institute of Public Health, Prague, and E. Hejduk, N. Kozova, E. Sulcova, L. Tomasek and E. Weinholdova

Published in Educating Children for Democracy, Issue Number 6, Winter/Spring 2004

The Step by Step Program, first introduced in the Czech Republic in 1994, brought child-centered educational practices into preschool and primary school classrooms. From its inception, the Step by Step Program raised questions for both educators and parents about its effectiveness. Would the use of an educational methodology based on individualization and learning through play meet the program’s aim to positively influence the social and personal development of children? Click here to read the entire article.

Partnership Projects

ISSA actively pursues national, regional and international partnership opportunities. With financial support from multilateral, bilateral and private donors, ISSA and its members implement a wide range of educational innovations. These partnership initiatives have included: parenting education in cooperation with UNICEF, inclusive education projects with support from the European Union’s TACIS project, democratic education reforms in partnership with USAID in Central Asia and Macedonia, extending programs to rural schools in partnership with the World Bank Social Investment Fund, community education in cooperation with the Mott Foundation, and Roma programs in cooperation with EU PHARE and Structural Funds.

Advocacy

ISSA advocates policies that ensure that every child regardless of gender, race, religion, nationality or ability has the opportunity to develop to his or her full potential. ISSA promotes the rights of all children to a quality education and reaches out to children of minority families, children with disabilities, refugee children, and children in poverty. Some of ISSA’s international advocacy efforts have included cooperation with international education networks, representation at national, regional and international meetings and conferences, advising governments in the design and implementation of early child policy and legislation, and developing enhanced educational opportunities for oppressed minorities and children with special needs.

 

ISSA advocates policies that ensure that every child regardless of gender, race, religion, nationality or ability has the opportunity to develop to his or her full potential.