BOSTON (August 16, 2017) – Defending the Early Years announced today a new partnership with the Progressive Education Network (www.progressiveeducationnetwork.org). Together, the two organizations will herald the practice of progressive pedagogy for the next generation of students, schools and democracy.
Inspired by the early pioneers of the progressive education movement, The Progressive Education Network (PEN) was founded in 2005 to support children both as learners and as citizens, and promotes diversity, equity, and justice in our schools and society.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with PEN, whose century-long legacy promotes a vision of progressive pedagogy,” said Geralyn Bywater McLaughlin, Co-Director of Defending the Early Years. “PEN’s commitment to supporting joyful and meaningful learning spaces, as well as diversity, and social justice in a child-centered environment, is directly in line with DEY’s guiding principles.”
“DEY is an essential go-to resource for anyone who cares about young children’s development. Their mission to amplify issues and best practices in early childhood education, coupled with their commitment to creating resources that support joyful, meaningful learning, are all reasons why we are so excited for this connection,” said Theresa Collins, Board President of PEN. “DEY’s work affirms a principle that is central to progressive education: to uphold and support students’ deep intellectual development and healthy identity formation—as developing individuals, as active learners within a school community, and as engaged citizens in the broader world.”
Founded in 2012, Defending the Early Years is committed to supporting and nurturing the rights and needs of young children and promoting best practices in early childhood education in the current context of misguided policies and mandates. DEY is a non-profit project of the Progressive Education Network. – a 501(c) 3 educational organization. For more information visit www.deyproject.org or follow on Twitter @DEY_Project.
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