Prior to beginning work on this discussion forum, review the Early Childhood Policy webpage. Education policy refers to the collection of laws and rules that govern the operation of education systems. As a leader in early childhood education, it is important that you remain aware of current policies and how and why they are created. Education policies vary depending on school size, class size, teacher education and certification, teacher pay, teaching methods, curricular content, and so forth.
For the initial discussion,
• Identify one policy area you are passionate about and, using research, explain why this area is critical to supporting children and families.
• Defend the importance of advocating for children and families.
• Describe how policy, advocacy, and your role as a professional and leader are interconnected.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Discussion Forum: The Importance of Education Policy in Early Childhood Education
Identifying a Policy Area: Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK)
One policy area I am particularly passionate about is Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK). UPK refers to state-funded programs designed to provide early childhood education to all children, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Research indicates that access to high-quality early education has significant benefits for children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development. According to the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), children who attend UPK programs are more likely to perform better in school, exhibit improved social skills, and have lower rates of special education placements.
Importance of Universal Pre-Kindergarten
1. Equity and Access: UPK is critical in leveling the playing field for children from diverse backgrounds. It ensures that all children, especially those in low-income families, have access to quality early education, thus promoting equity in educational opportunities.
2. Long-term Academic Success: Research consistently shows that children who participate in UPK are more prepared for kindergarten and continue to perform better academically throughout their educational careers. This early foundation helps close achievement gaps that can persist throughout schooling.
3. Support for Families: UPK programs provide vital support for families by offering reliable early childhood education options. This allows parents to pursue employment or education while knowing their children are receiving quality care and learning.
Advocating for Children and Families
Advocating for children and families is essential for several reasons:
– Voice for Vulnerable Populations: Children and families often lack the ability to advocate for themselves effectively, particularly those from marginalized communities. Advocacy ensures that their needs and rights are prioritized in policy discussions.
– Influence on Policy Decisions: By advocating for UPK and other critical programs, we can influence policymakers to allocate resources and support initiatives that benefit children and families. This can lead to systemic changes that promote greater access to quality education.
– Empowerment: Advocacy empowers families by providing them with information and resources that enhance their ability to make informed decisions about their children’s education.
The Interconnection of Policy, Advocacy, and Leadership
The relationship between policy, advocacy, and leadership in early childhood education is deeply intertwined:
1. Policy Formation: As a leader in early childhood education, understanding how policies are formulated allows me to engage effectively in advocacy efforts. Knowledge of the legislative process enables me to communicate the needs of children and families to policymakers.
2. Advocacy as a Leadership Role: Leadership in ECE involves advocating for policies that promote the well-being and development of children. This requires not only passion but also strategic thinking about how to mobilize resources, build coalitions, and influence public opinion.
3. Implementation of Policy: Once policies are enacted, my role as a professional leader involves ensuring these policies are implemented effectively within educational settings. This includes training staff, engaging with families, and monitoring outcomes to ensure that the policies meet their intended goals.
In conclusion, my passion for Universal Pre-Kindergarten stems from its proven impact on children’s development and family support. Advocating for such policies is crucial in ensuring equitable access to high-quality early education. As an early childhood education leader, my role encompasses understanding policy intricacies, actively advocating for change, and implementing effective practices that ultimately benefit children and families. Engaging with these elements not only enhances my professional practice but also helps create a more equitable educational landscape for all.
