As teachers leave for better pay in other fields, early childhood programs face a recruitment and retention dilemma. New training and education standards are beginning to impact some early childhood programs. For example, new state law will require Head Start teachers to obtain at least an associate degree. Ohio is a long way from meeting this new requirement and no state money was allocated to meet this mandate. Participants receive funds to cover part of the cost of tuition, books, travel, and in some cases, paid educational release time.
Participants receive salary increases or bonuses after completing a certain amount of course work.
The model's strengths are flexibility, partnerships, and articulation agreements. T.E.A.C.H. has been proven to increase program quality through better-prepared staff, opportunities for advancement and improved compensation, and, as a consequence, increased staff retention rates. This includes a database that keeps track of scholarships, courses, individual educational goals, and other related information. Subsequent costs include support for education and salary supplements. Ohio will develop its own design including cost sharing with the individual and their employer.