Certification and Accreditation

Creating strong instructional leaders.

Our three certifications help to ensure superior outcomes for the children you serve. Become a source of professional guidance and declare your commitment to providing the highest quality education for young children.

Navigate the tabs below to explore the features and requirements of our certification and recertification programs.

Certified Teacher

Teachers who are devoted to providing high-quality experiences while implementing the HighScope Curriculum (Infant-Toddler and/or Preschool) are encouraged to apply for teacher certification. The certification process, conducted by HighScope, recognizes teachers whose practice reflects a high degree of knowledge about child development and skill in implementing the HighScope educational approach and curriculum. Achieving HighScope teacher certification indicates that your students receive some of the very best instruction available in early childhood education.

As a HighScope Certified Teacher, others will know that you have achieved a professional standard that will result in superior outcomes for the children you serve. They will know that your implementation of the highly respected HighScope Curriculum has passed rigorous review and you have achieved excellence.

To be certified in either the Infant-Toddler and/or Preschool curricula, teachers must meet the following requirements:

  • Complete the appropriate training or equivalent training/experience
  • Demonstrate high-quality curriculum implementation
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the COR Advantage
  • Complete daily lesson planning as a team
  • Complete small-group and large-group lesson plan
  • Provide a professional development narrative
  • Complete an application along with the required forms

HighScope teacher certification lasts for three years. The standards and forms for recertification are the same as for initial certification. When you meet the standards, you are qualified to identify yourself as a HighScope Certified Teacher. Each HighScope Certified Teacher receives a certificate acknowledging their status as a HighScope Certified Teacher.

To obtain a copy of the application and required forms or ask questions, please contact [email protected] or call 734.485.2000 x232.

Certified Trainer

Educators in a position of leadership provide tremendous support to their colleagues by providing staff development and establishing program polices. In order for programs to sustain the HighScope Curriculum, staff can participate in the Training of Trainers (ToT) Course to fulfill the requirements associated with this course. Those who complete the ToT course and its associated requirements listed below will receive the credential of HighScope Certified Trainer. HighScope Certified Trainers help maintain the high teaching standards associated with the HighScope Curriculum by delivering workshops, providing observation and feedback, and offering coaching services to their colleagues/agency.

Below you will find the steps to become a HighScope Certified Trainer:

  • Complete the Preschool Curriculum Course (PCC) or Infant-Toddler Curriculum Course (ITCC)
  • Establish a training classroom where mentoring and leadership are exhibited
  • Conduct workshops and practice teaching
  • Observe children and teachers working together and provide feedback to staff

Once trainer certification is achieved, the credential is active for a period of three years. To remain active, trainers are asked to

  • Continue their professional development in early childhood education and with HighScope.
  • Conduct training, provide support for teachers, and maintain records of services provided.
  • Provide outreach to the early childhood education community (e.g., presenting a conference session based on the HighScope Curriculum at national, state, and local early childhood conferences).

To obtain a copy of the application or ask questions, please contact [email protected] or call 734.485.2000 x232.

Accredited Program

As a HighScope Accredited Program, you are telling your community that you have put time, effort, and money into making sure that your program is of the highest quality and that your program is a place where children will experience a consistent, effective learning experience that will help them better prepare for school and beyond. It will be an indication to families in your community that you strive for professional excellence and deliver on your promise of a high-quality experience for all children and families you serve.

A program that meets the standards is qualified to identify itself as a HighScope Accredited Program and to operate as a HighScope Demonstration Program in the area(s) in which it received curriculum endorsement (e.g., infant-toddler, preschool). Each HighScope Accredited Program receives a certificate acknowledging its status as a HighScope Accredited Program.

Below you will find the standards for becoming a HighScope Accredited Program:

  • All lead teachers must be HighScope Certified Teachers
  • Your program has an average score of 4.0 or higher on the Program Quality Assessment Form B – Sections V through VII administered by a HighScope Certified Trainer (HighScope requires that the PQA be administered by a HighScope Certified Trainer contracted through the HighScope Foundation)
  • Your program has a current government license or certificate
  • Complete an application along with the required form

A HighScope program accreditation lasts for three years. The standards and forms for reaccreditation are the same as for the initial accreditation.

To obtain a copy of the application or ask questions, please contact [email protected] or call 734.485.2000 x232.

Trainer Recertification

HighScope Certified Trainers develop and maintain their skills by ongoing coaching, training, and supporting teachers in the classrooms. The HighScope Certified Trainer credential is in effect for a period of three years. To continue to grow and demonstrate commitment to quality, HighScope Certified Trainers maintain their certification by keeping abreast of new developments in the field, attending HighScope training events, conducting HighScope workshops or courses, sharing their knowledge of the HighScope Curriculum through presentations, and documenting their major achievements. Recertification is required every three years to maintain certification status.

To apply for recertification, a trainer must complete the following:

  • Program Quality Assessment (PQA) for the age group of certification (e.g., infant-toddler or preschool)
  • Training Agenda
  • Coaching Activity
  • Staff Support Log
  • Professional Development Log (40 hours HighScope; 20 hours general; total = 60 hours)
  • Complete an application along with the required forms

To obtain a copy of the application or ask questions, please contact [email protected] or call 734.485.2000 x232.

Recertification for program administrators and other non-trainer candidates

Administrators will often attend the Training of Trainers Course and achieve trainer certification so that they may better mentor their staffs. They usually do not conduct actual training sessions, so some of the requirements for recertification are different than those for trainers. Please contact us to find out more about the specific requirements.

Professional Learning Courses

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