Child Development Research Center among best in country

Texas Tech's Christine DeVitt and Helen DeVitt Jones Child Development Research Center is among the first early childhood programs in the nation to earn accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

According to a Tech news release, NAEYC is the nation's leading organization of early childhood professionals, and it has a new, more rigorous accreditation process.

Stacy Johnson, director of the Child Development Research Center, said the center has been accredited for the past 20 years, but the new accreditation standards are stricter.

"We are very proud to have met these very high standards, and to be among the first in the nation to have done that," Johnson said.

The research center received the accreditation for a five-year period after an on-site visit, and NAEYC assessors ensured the program met each of its 10 standards for accreditation, according to the news release.

Georgia Godfrey, coordinator for external relations and development for the College of Human Sciences, said she believes the center is a good example of how an early childhood program should operate.

"The CDRC is leading the way not only in the community but in the country," she said. "It is also a huge accomplishment for Texas Tech, as well as for the College of Human Sciences."

Johnson said NAEYC has 10 different standards including teaching qualifications, leadership, relationship between family and staff and relationship between staff and children.

Johnson said the Child Development Research Center has children from ages ranging from 6 weeks to 6 years, with the facility open to the public.

"Anyone is eligible to bring their child here, but we do have a waiting list," she said. "Most of our families are associated with Texas Tech somehow."

Johnson said one of the missions the CDRC carries is to provide an opportunity for different programs across campus that do research on different issues related to children and family to work together.

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