EDvance College, a grantee partner of the Foundation’s Education program, has received college accreditation from WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a move that will allow early childhood educators to receive a bachelor’s degree while maintaining employment in the field.

“Early childhood educators, who are disproportionately women of color, are grossly underpaid for critically important work, which is keeping them from staying in or entering the workforce,” said Dr. Lygia Stebbing, EDvance College’s Founder and CEO. “Increasing the number of teachers with a bachelor’s degree improves the education young children receive and allows teachers to earn a living wage. EDvance College has tackled a significant issue faced by the workforce in accessing a four-year degree by effectively reducing general education barriers and contextualizing them within our two-year pathway.”

Each academic year, EDvance College recruits educators as a group from a local area. The cohort of students takes coursework together throughout the duration of their education, enabling them to build community and deepen their application of theory and pedagogical approaches. They also receive individualized academic and career advising, as well as tutoring, ensuring that students are successful and graduate in a timely manner. Notably, students receive financial support, in the form of institutional grants, which significantly reduces their tuition costs. All classes are scheduled in the evenings so students can continue to work in early childhood settings. EDvance College provides students with college credit for their work, allowing educators to accelerate the completion of their degree.

The college will graduate its first cohort of students in 2024 and is expanding its reach across California, with plans to provide a bachelor’s degree to early childhood educators across the United States in the near future.

Learn more about EDvance College’s announcement here.