August 29 - December 5, 2024
The ACSES Framework Introductory Series builds early childhood educators’ understanding of equitable classroom learning and offers practical strategies to support young Black and Brown learners.
The ACSES Framework Introductory Series is a six-part webinar series that introduces a practical, action-oriented framework for creating more equitable early childhood classrooms. Earn CEUs or count webinars towards your CDA.
Reach out to our team to learn more about The ACSES Framework Introductory Series and get started learning today!
Racial equity is essential to high-quality early learning. When Black and Brown children experience teaching practices that are not equitable and responsive to their culture, there is a lasting, negative impact on their educational outcomes.
What do inequitable teaching practices look like in the classroom? It can include:
The ACSES Framework, developed by Stephanie Curenton, Ph.D., is a research-based approach that helps educators increase their understanding of racial equity and build positive teaching practices and learning environments that value and empower all children.
Start Early presents a six-part series to introduce early childhood system leaders, administrators, and teachers to sociocultural equity and the ACSES Framework.
In the ACSES Framework Introductory Series, participants will learn how to:
Participants may earn CEUs or count webinars towards their CDA requirements.
Webinar recordings are available to view in both English and Spanish. Las grabaciones de los seminarios web están disponibles para ver tanto en inglés como en español.
Intro Session: Beyond the Talk: Creating Racial Equity in the Classroom
Webinar Series Price Drop!
We’re excited to announce a new reduced price for our webinar series! Sessions 2–6 are now available for just $125. This bundle includes access to all six on-demand recordings and CEU credits.
Get started today!
Missed the First Session?
No worries! The first session is free and you can watch the recording here.
Group Registration
You can get a great discount when you register a group of 10 or more learners! Email us at ProfessionalDevelopment@StartEarly.org to find out what discounts are available to your program.
Beyond the Talk: Creating Racial Equity in the Classroom
Racial equity is essential to high-quality early learning. When we examine children’s learning through the lens of racial equity, our understanding and impact are enhanced. The researched-based ACSES Framework helps educators identify a wide range of conditions and behaviors that may lead to lower outcomes for students from diverse backgrounds. By responding to children’s particular needs, educators can create learning environments that value and empower children.
In this free introductory session, participants will learn about:
Redefining “Normal:” Making Room for Lived Experiences in the Classroom
Classroom equity is the goal, but how do we get there? We cannot achieve equity without taking a hard look at the “status quo” – the automatic beliefs and behaviors of our culture and community – and challenging whether they are fair and just. When we change our own awareness and behaviors, we make space for children to bring their full, true selves to classroom life and discussions. This is how we form the foundation of an equitable classroom community.
Participants will learn how to:
CEU Credits: 0.1
CDA Subject Areas:
Fair is Not Far Enough: Setting the Tone for Racially Marginalized Learners to Succeed
Making sure every child has the same opportunity is not the definition of equity. Instead, equity demands that we intentionally focus on racially marginalized learners (RMLs) – Black and Brown children. We do this by providing specific opportunities for RMLs to demonstrate and achieve success and showing that we believe in their strengths and capabilities.
Participants will learn:
CEU Credits: 0.1
CDA Subject Areas:
Children are Not the Problem: Reframing Behavior Expectations in the Classroom
Behavior management in the classroom is always a hot topic. Educators are looking for ways to reduce behavior issues, manage behaviors and avoid chaos. Traditionally, the focus has been on what we can do, change, or adjust in the child’s behavior. But what if we are focused on the wrong things, and creating more harm than positive change?
Participants will learn:
CEU Credits: 0.1
CDA Subject Areas:
Roots and Wings: Intentional Teaching that Goes Deep So All Children Soar
When we think of roots, we think of something that anchors and supports growth and strength. When we think of wings, we imagine rising up and following dreams. Intentional teaching provides both: giving all children knowledge that anchors them AND opportunities to showcase their learning and grow into their full potential.
Participants will learn:
CEU Credits: 0.1
CDA Subject Areas:
“I’m Here!:” Cultivating Environments Where Racially Marginalized Learners Thrive
Marginalization means that someone is often undervalued and overlooked. For the racially marginalized learner (RML), this means being almost invisible in the classroom. To cultivate environments where equity lives and breathes, we must encourage the presence and voices of RMLs. When we support connections between all children – RMLs and non-RMLs – RMLs thrive.
Participants will learn:
CEU Credits: 0.1
CDA Subject Areas:
ACSES was created from a place of love...By centering equity in our foundational understanding of quality, it allows us to see the uniqueness and abilities of ALL children and to create a classroom climate where every child feels welcomed.
- Dr. Stephanie Curenton-Jolly
The ACSES series is designed for all early childhood educators! From system leaders to coaches to teachers, this is a relevant introduction to building racial equity for everyone.
Yes! Participants can earn CEUs from the ACSES Introductory Series. We do not charge extra for CEUs. Start Early is an IACET accredited provider of CEUs. Registrants must either attend the live events or watch the recordings, which will be sent out 2-3 business days after each session with an evaluation to complete. Participants must complete the evaluation for CEU credit. Please note that all CEU completion certificates will be sent at the end of the series. 0.1 CEU is awarded for each one-hour webinar within the series. If you complete the entire series, you are eligible for up to .5 CEUs. (Please note, the first webinar in the series is an introduction and does not offer CEUs). Should you require your certificate information earlier, please contact us and we will prioritize processing.
There is no prior experience needed. Participants do not need to purchase any additional materials, including the ACSES tool. The webinars are designed for all early childhood educators, from system leaders to classroom teachers.
Yes! While sessions are not available a la carte (except for the free Session 1), registrants receive access to every recorded webinar no matter when they sign up – so you won’t miss a thing!
Yes! Learners can choose to view either English or Spanish language versions of the recorded webinars. Los participantes pueden elegir ver las versiones de los seminarios web grabados en inglés o en español.
We accept credit cards, purchase orders, ACH, and checks. We encourage registrants to complete payment via credit card when possible. For group registration purchases, registrants may pay using direct deposit (ACH).
Registration for the webinar series is non-refundable. All recorded content is included in your event purchase.
Visit Early Learning Access’s webpage (earlylearningaccess.org) for more information on upcoming Rater Trainings and how to order a copy of the ACSES Measurement book. You do not need to purchase the manual as part of your participation in the ACSES Framework Introductory Series.
Yes! The ACSES Introductory Series aligns with specific CDA Subject Matter Areas. Participants must complete the evaluation after each webinar within the series to receive the corresponding completion certificate. The completion certificate will include the CDA subject matter areas for the webinar attended or watched.
There has not been a formal study comparing ACSES and other Environmental Rating Scales (ERS). However, unlike most Environment Rating Scales (ERS), which focus on the overall quality of early childhood environments, ACSES specifically assesses sociocultural equity in classrooms, with a focus on racial equity, fairness, and integrating student’s cultural backgrounds into teaching practices. The ACSES Validation study demonstrated validity when compared with the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS), a prominent tool for assessing teacher-child interactions. This study revealed that teachers rarely engage in activities focused on racial equity or fairness, or connections between lessons and student’s home lives. By assessing sociocultural interactions, ACSES is able to deliver more comprehensive insights into equity-related classroom dynamics that traditional ERS tools may lack.
Yes, ACSES would be a valuable tool in this context. The ACSES Framework ensures equitable support for all students, including Black, African American, Latino, and immigrant children. ACSES’s adaptability to diverse classroom settings stems from its focus on sociocultural equity, helping teachers create inclusive environments for every student, regardless of racial, cultural or linguistic background. Additionally, it aids educators in reflecting on their practices to ensure fairness and equitable treatment in the classroom.
