Framework for Understanding Parenting Educator Professional Preparation and Recognition
This framework is designed to provide information about existing types of professional preparation and recognition available for practitioners in the field of parenting education. Individuals enter parenting education from a broad range of experience and educational levels – from high school education or GED to doctoral degree. This framework is not meant to be a career ladder but can be used as a resource in the development of one. A person can be engaged in more than one of the types of professional preparation and recognition listed simultaneously.
There is currently no widely accepted consensus regarding definitions for the terms “credential” and “certificate” as is evident in the terms used in the examples below. The following are working definitions of these terms as used in this document:
- Certificate – completion of a course of study (e.g., 10-day course, 12-credit graduate program; can be credit or non-credit)
- Credential – verification or validation of one’s qualifications (experiences and education) as a professional by a third party based on defined criteria
NOTE : Numbers 1 & 2 below are Professional Preparation Types and Numbers 3, 4, & 5 are Professional Recognition Types.
Professional Preparation
- Examining the Roles, Training, and Characteristics of Paraprofessionals in Parenting Education by Sandra McClintic and Lorna Durrant, 2016
- Reimbursement for Parenting Education Services to Promote Family Health and Wellbeing by Stephanie Jones, Kimberly Allen and Jenna K. Barnes, 2016
- Recognizing Diverse Roles and Identifying Competencies for Parenting Educators Presentation to Northwest Council on Family Relations Conference, April, 2014
- A Closer Look at Diverse Roles of Practitioners in Parenting Education: Peer Educators, Paraprofessionals and Professionals by Stephanie T. Jones, Mary Kay Stranik, M. Gayle Hart, Sandra McClintic and Judith Rae Wolf, 2013 (PDF)
- Competencies of a Parent Educator: What Does a Parent Educator Need to Know and Do? by Betty Cooke
- Professional Preparation Systems for Parenting Educators: Identification, Perceived Value, and Demand for a National Credential by Heidi E. Stolz, Teri M. Henke, Denise J. Brandon, Juli M. Sams
