Education, Preschool

Center for the Child Care Workforce Records

scaloia — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 11:50:46 -0400

The Center for Child Care Workforce (CCW) was founded in 1977 as the East Bay Staff Education Project in Oakland, California. It underwent several name changes throughout its history, including the Child Care Employee Project (CCEP) in 1978, National Center for the Early Childhood Workforce (NCECW) in 1994, and its most recent name change in 1997.
The organization advocates for improved childcare quality through better wages and working conditions as well as providing professional development programs for childcare workers. The organization conducted studies on the conditions facing childcare workers, particularly low wages and high turnover rates, first in the San Francisco area and later on a national level. The group carried out one such study in the late 1980s called the National Childcare Staffing Study, which looked at the link between the quality of childcare and the pay and stability of teachers. This and various other studies as well as events like the Worthy Wage (WW) Campaigns and In Praise of Providers (IPOP) in the 1990s helped to raise awareness of the issues facing childcare workers. In 1994, the CCW moved its headquarters from California to Washington, D.C. In 2002 it merged with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) under the latter organization’s nonprofit Educational Foundation.

The Center for the Child Care Workforce Records cover the organization from its founding to its transition to becoming part of the AFT. Included are research and reports on major studies conducted by the CCW, notably the National Child Care Staffing Study, Leadership Empowerment Action Project (LEAP), planning documents for national Worthy Wage Campaigns and other special events. Also included are correspondence, fliers, pamphlets, reports, guidebooks, meeting minutes, press clippings, newsletters, audio visual materials including photographs, slides, and video and audio tapes, and memorabilia such as t-shirts and buttons.

Merrill-Palmer Institute Records

drice — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 17:18:00 -0500

The collection illustrates the Institute’s commitment to research, education, and outreach through documentation of its programs, projects, and administration. It includes research and studies the Institute undertook, course information, nursery school, camp and club information, correspondence with students, individuals and organizations, presidential and faculty files, and day to day operational information.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Dr. Francis H. Palmer Records

drice — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 14:20:21 -0400

Dr. Francis H. Palmer was president of Merrill-Palmer from 1978-1981, prior to which he
worked at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He received his education
at the University of Pittsburg, published widely, mainly on preschool and early
educational child development and was very active in the Headstart program. Palmer’s
records reflect his emphasis on the psychology of preschool and elementary age children
and his direction of institutional focus to research.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Dr. J. William Rioux Records

drice — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 13:23:36 -0400

J. William Rioux was the president of the Merrill-Palmer Institute from 1967-1973, prior
to which he worked for the U.S. Department of Education. He was a native of Detroit
and received his Ed. D. at Wayne State University. During his time at Merrill-Palmer he
worked to diversify the student body, establish a graduate degree program, work with
urban youth, and bring more students into the program. He also emphasized
dissemination and publication of research by Merrill-Palmer faculty and staff.

The J. William Rioux Records contain mainly administrative files, which emphasize
Rioux’s commitment to urban and low-income youth and his push to bring in more
students and get them involved with the local Detroit community.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Dr. Michael D. Usdan Records

drice — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 14:12:09 -0400

Dr. Michael D. Usdan was president of the Merrill-Palmer Institute from 1974-1977.
Educated at Brown University and Teachers College at Columbia University, Usdan
worked as a professor at City University of New York before joining Merrill-Palmer. He
published widely, writing mainly on educational politics. His records document his work
on urban and lower income youth in the Detroit area, as well as research and conferences
focusing on urban poor, parent-child relationships and the impact of unemployment on
families.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Dr. Pauline Park Wilson Knapp Records

drice — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 13:47:04 -0400

Dr. Pauline Park Wilson Knapp was the president and director of the Merrill-Palmer
Institute from 1952-1967. Knapp received her B.S. in Home Economics from the
University of Kentucky and M.A. and Ph. D in Psychology from Columbia University.
She established the first Child Development Center in Georgia in 1928, was head of the
Department of Family and Life at the University of Alabama from 1941-45 and the Dean
of the School of Home Economics at the University of Georgia from 1946-52. In 1952
she rejoined the Merrill-Palmer Institute as president, returning to the school where she
was previously a student (1920s) and a staff member (1932-41). During her years as
president, Knapp broadened the school’s emphasis on parent education to incorporate
research on human development and increased research on applied child and family
issues. Under her leadership she increased the schools scope, built two new facilities,
The Program Center and the Skillman Center, and oversaw the largest increase in student
enrollment and faculty appointments in the history of the institute.

Knapp’s records cover day-to-day activities and long range programs, as well as the shift
in emphasis the institute underwent during Knapp’s tenure. Included are programs and
correspondence which highlight Knapp’s close relationship with students and supporters
through which she increased the influence of Merrill-Palmer and ensured continued
student enrollment. The collection also covers committees and boards Knapp served on,
as well as research conducted by the Institute, as a whole.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Dr.William McKee Records

drice — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:00:56 -0400

Dr. William Wakefield McKee was with the Merrill-Palmer Institute for 30 years in a variety of roles. He began as a faculty member in 1953, became Vice-President in 1957 and served as Acting-President during the 1973-73 school year, eventually retiring in 1983. McKee received his B. A. from the University of North Carolina, his B. D. from Yale Divinity School, a S. T. M. from Union Theological Seminary, NY, and his Ph. D. from Yale. Prior to coming to Merrill-Palmer he worked for the YMCA, the American Friends Service Commission, and the Edward W. Hagen Foundation. In addition to his work at the institute McKee was also active on many Detroit area boards of directors and trustees including the Highland Park School District, Girl Scouts of Metropolitan Detroit, Homemaker Service of Detroit, and Michigan Adult Education.

The collection covers his years at Merrill-Palmer and highlights his flexibility to work for four different presidents, each with their own visions for the institute. It documents his teaching and advising duties of both graduate and undergraduate students, his work on various institute committees and boards, his responsibilities as Chairman of the Teaching Area of the institute as well as his administrative duties as Vice-President.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Edna Noble White Records

drice — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:34:05 -0500

Edna Noble White, a pioneer in family life education, served as first director of the Merrill-Palmer Institute from her appointment in 1920 until her retirement in 1947. Under Edna Noble White’s leadership, the Institute expanded its services to include a student program of college level courses in child development, family life, parenting skills, and nursery education as well as the Merrill-Palmer Nursery School, Camps, Farm, Infant Services, and Recreational Clubs.
Ms. White was also very active professionally on a national level and engaged with Detroit youth services agencies.

The records of Edna Noble White contain personal and professional correspondence; minutes from various national, state, and local organizations as well as Merrill-Palmer committees; literature regarding child and parental education; research studies relating to child development, family relations, and immigrant acculturation; and correspondence and literature from a number of federal agencies concerned with child and family welfare.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Photographs and Audio-Visual Materials

drice — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 15:20:39 -0400

The Merrill-Palmer Institute was founded in 1920 by an endowment
from Lizzie Merrill Palmer. Throughout its 61 years of independent
operation, the Institute was greatly respected and internationally
known as one of the top institutions for education, training and
research in Child Development. Merrill-Palmer staff conducted and
published studies on families and children, operated a nursery school,
children's camps and clubs, offered marriage and family counseling,
and performed community service work. The Institute accepted
undergraduate and graduate students from the U. S. and internationally
and taught courses and provided research and laboratory experience
unavailable elsewhere. In 1981, the Institute came under the auspices
of Wayne State University, merging in 2005 with the Skillman
Center for Children to become the Merrill-Palmer Skillman Institute
for Child and Family Development. The Merrill-Palmer Institute:
Photographs and Audio-Visual Materials reflect the main functions of
the institute throughout its history as an independent entity and almost
twenty years into its relationship with Wayne State University. The
bulk of the materials center on the operation of the Early Childhood
Center (formerly the Merrill-Palmer Nursery School), but also cover
its programs and services, teaching and research missions, and the
Institute's physical environment.

2013: The Digital Year in Review

cwesterman — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 15:53:37 -0500

At the start of 2014, the Walter P. Reuther Library of Labor and Urban Affairs would like to take a moment to remember the year that's just ended and revisit the content that was added to our website in 2013. It was a banner year for the Reuther's blog, with more visits, visitors, and pageviews than in any previous year. read more »

Subject Focus: Merrill-Palmer Institute

drice — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 10:40:52 -0400

With the 2013-2014 school year in full swing, it seems an appropriate time to reflect on the American educational system and, in particular, how it all begins – preschool. As the topic of high quality preschool becomes increasingly relevant in the 21st century, it is important to note that it is not a new concept. The Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute (MPSI), an active research center on Wayne State University's campus, was a pioneer in addressing these early formative years of a child's education. read more »

(30736) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 11:21:56 -0400

Children and teacher in the classroom. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30737) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:06:06 -0500

Two children play with blocks. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30738) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 15:12:53 -0400

Nursery school children are weighed at Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30739) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:10:30 -0500

Three children play outdoors. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30740) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 13:44:41 -0400

Children laying on cots at nap time. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30741) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:12:36 -0500

Children and teachers eating outdoors. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30742) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:14:57 -0500

Children and teachers with a bird house. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30743) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 15:32:10 -0400

Children and teacher dining at the Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30744) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Freer House, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 15:22:51 -0400

Facade of the Freer House, Detroit, Michigan.

(30746) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:20:26 -0500

Two children solve a puzzle. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30747) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 13:25:47 -0400

Children playing outside the Freer House, Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30748) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:22:51 -0500

Two children play. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30749) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:25:15 -0500

Children look on as a birdhouse is put up outside the Freer House. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30750) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:27:17 -0500

A child holds her tray during meal time. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30751) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:28:52 -0500

Two girls wash dishes. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30752) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 15:25:20 -0400

Two children painting outdoors at the Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30753) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 13:55:21 -0400

Child on a bicycle pulling wagons. Nursery school activities, Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30754) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:31:08 -0500

Children rake leaves. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30756) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:32:48 -0500

Children with a dog. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30757) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:35:08 -0500

Children help a teacher with planting. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30758) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 13:50:31 -0400

Children and teacher looking at rabbits in a cage on the grounds of the Merrill-Palmer School. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(31531) CCW Seattle Strike

jhelpap — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 17:17:50 -0500

Tombstone picket signs line a walk in downtown Seattle during the 1992 CCW strike.

(31532) CCW Early Childhood Demonstration

jhelpap — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 17:21:54 -0500

Members of the CCW carry a banner that reads Children=Future Wages = Past, during the 1992 CCW demonstration

(31533) CCW Members Handing Out Informational Leaflets

jhelpap — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 17:27:20 -0500

Three members of the CCW handing out informational leaflets in Oaklane, CA.

(31534) Nashville Area Association on Young Children Parade and Rally

jhelpap — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 17:34:40 -0500

(l-r) Geraldine Chapman, Teacher; Renay Angel, Teacher; Bonnie Spoon, AYC President; Jaci Dimble, W.W. Chairperson; and Sabrian Perkins, Teacher at the Nashville Area Association on Young Children Parade and Rally

[Podcast] Para Power: How Paraprofessional Labor Changed Education

teller — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 07:18:53 -0400

Dr. Nick Juravich discusses the experiences of the first-generation of paraprofessional educators in New York City in the 1960s-1980s and their impact on the city’s educational system, community relations, and public sector unions. read more »