Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) and Ankeny Community School District have launched an expanded partnership designed to give high school students a direct route into the early childhood education profession.
The collaboration, developed over the past two years, builds on early childhood education courses previously offered through DMACC's online Career Academy. Through the new model, students can now take classes in person at Ankeny's Terrace Early Learning Center, where they learn in an authentic early childhood setting while observing educators and working alongside young learners.
This fall, students can enroll in Introduction to Early Childhood Education and Childhood Health, Safety and Nutrition, two three-credit courses taught by a DMACC Early Childhood Education adjunct instructor at the preschool. The courses allow high school students to earn college credit while gaining practical experience in the field.
According to Katie Champlin, DMACC Early Childhood Education program chair and professor, the partnership creates a unique learning environment by blending high school and college experiences.
"Offering the courses through DMACC faculty allows traditional college students to enroll in the same sections alongside high school students," Champlin said. "As a result, both groups experience a more authentic college classroom environment while high school students benefit from learning alongside current college students."
Students also complete observation and clinical experiences at Terrace Early Learning Center, helping them connect classroom concepts with real-world teaching practices.
Through both formal classroom observations and everyday interactions with teachers, staff, children and families, students gain valuable insight into the real-life aspects of working in early childhood education that cannot be fully replicated through coursework alone, Champlin said.
“Those experiences help students develop confidence, strengthen reflective practices and begin building their professional identities as future early childhood educators,” she added.
The long-term goal of the partnership is for students to complete DMACC's 13-credit Early Childhood Education Certificate before graduating from high school. In addition to earning a college credential, students who complete the certificate satisfy the education requirement for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, a nationally recognized certification for early childhood professionals.
The initiative comes at a time when Iowa, like many states, continues to face workforce shortages in early childhood education. By allowing students to begin earning credentials and gaining experience while still in high school, DMACC and Ankeny schools aim to strengthen the pipeline of future educators while helping students explore meaningful career opportunities.
Iowa also participates in statewide programs such as TEACH and WAGE$, which provide financial support and incentives for early childhood professionals pursuing additional education and credentials. These programs encourage educators to continue their professional development through credentials such as the ECE Certificate and further education through the Diploma and AAS degrees offered at DMACC.
“Ultimately, the partnership creates a pathway,” Champlin said. “An opportunity to explore the profession, develop practical skills, earn college credit and credentials, and see a clear pathway toward continued education and employment in ECE."