Inclusion
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Description: It’s back to school time for many children, families, faculty, and early childhood professionals. Many children - and adults - find the start of the school year to be nerve wracking as we figure out new routines and make new friends amongst many other new experiences. We have just the resources for you from STEMIE and from other partners. Having predictable, comprehensible routines is one of the key ingredients to successful inclusion. The National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations...
Description: This guidance document is designed to assist Virginia’s school divisions and early childhood communities in identifying, developing, and sustaining inclusive opportunities within high-quality early childhood programs for children with disabilities.
Description: It's been said that "necessity is the mother of invention". When the pandemic struck last year, practitioners in early education and early childhood special education, and parents came together to support young children and their families through remote service delivery. This multi-part video series, developed by Larry Edelman, features preschool staff and families from five states and illustrates their working together to use technology to make the virtual learning experience exciting,...
Description: All young children (Birth to 5) with and without disabilities have the right to experience settings, relationships, and interactions that will support and futher their development and learning. This infographic from VCPD helps families to understand the importance and value of inclusion in early childhood.
Description: The goals of the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) are to assist states and programs in their implementation of sustainable systems for the implementation of the Pyramid Model for Supporting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children (Pyramid Model) within early intervention and early education programs with a focus on promoting the social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes of young children birth to five, reducing the use of inappropriate discipline...
Description: When general education students and students with special needs play together, it breaks down unconscious biases about disability and fosters relationships. A powerful video from a California school that demonstrates inclusion on the playground.
Description: This manual was developed by the Virginia Department of Education and the state system of Training and Technical Assistance Centers to help local school divisions meet federal and state mandates that children with disabilities be educated in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). The manual contains 8 modules and extensive resources which provide critical information for understanding, building, supporting, and sustaining inclusive placement opportunities for young children with...
Description: The VCPD Inclusive Practices Task Force has compiled a list of state and national resources in support of inclusive practices for young children birth to age five. The "VCPD Inclusive Practices State and National Resources November 2019" includes awareness and rationale, evaluation of inclusive programs, high quality inclusive practices, and systems level supports. Websites, books, and technical assistance center resources are described. If you cannot locate it through the link below, search for...
Description: Preschool refers to the time before a child is old enough to go to kindergarten or elementary school. In Virginia, preschoolers who are eligible for special education and related services are entitled to placement in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) alongside their peers without disabilities with supplementary aids and services. Inclusion in early childhood programs is supported through years of research and reinforced by a strong legal foundation and can set a trajectory for...
Description: The SpecialQuest Multimedia Training Library was designed to strengthen the inclusion of young children with disabilities and their families in programs serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The Library includes four learning modules. Each module contains a presenter’s guide, training scripts, handouts (in English and Spanish), and videos (in English, and with English and Spanish captioning). The materials can be used in a variety of professional development settings. They...
Description: Families are the enduring presence in the lives of young children with disabilities. This volume contains activities to support early care and education staff and families in developing positive relationships that support collaboration and family leadership. Session 1: Creating Bright Futures (Building Relationships with Families) Session 2: Listening to Families Session 3: When Concerns Arise: Learning from Families' Experiences Session 4: Getting...
Description: Virginia Family Special Education Connection provides a one-stop-shop for parents, families and caregivers of children with special needs to: Access local school system contacts and disability services in your community Explore an abundance of resources, including assistive technology and behavioral supports to help your child succeed. Learn about and plan your child's educational program Understand your legal rights and responsibilities POWER (Parent Organizer with Educational Resources)...
Description: FPG's Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center and the National Center on Early Development, Teaching, and Learning partnered to host a 4 part webinar series titled "Partnerships for Inclusion: Ensuring Access to High Quality Evaluations and Services." Webinars include: Webinar #1 Partnerships for Inclusion: Ensuring Access to High Quality Evaluations and Services. Webinar #2 Supporting Participation for All Children: Essential Features of High Quality Inclusion. Webinar #3 Collaboration With...
Description: Many collaborative strategies, sample interagency agreements, planning tools, and funding sources exist to assist states and communities in providing inclusive preschool special education services. Included within the Preschool Inclusion Finance Toolkit 2018 are the following: Early Childhood Programs Comparison Worksheet Determining Costs Inclusive Worksheet Braiding Funds: How Districts Can Create Inclusive Placement Opportunities for Young Children with Disabilities
Description: This video illustrates how inclusive practices should begin as early as possible. In the first part, Janelle describes her two year old daughter’s birth, early weeks in the NICU, and her stroke at four months old. In the second part, Janelle is joined by Lydia Rose's child development center teacher and her early interventionist as they discuss and illustrate a range of topics including inclusion, collaboration and teamwork between general and special educators, family-centered early...
Description: This webinar series focuses on aspects of inclusion and services to children with disabilities. Experts draw on current evidence to cover topics such as assessment, screening, evidence-best practices that support individualization, and partnering with parents. The series includes: Launching the Head Start Disabilities/Inclusion Network Connect with your peers and others across the country to ask questions, share resources, and have conversations about inclusion and disabilities services....
Description: The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has released a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) related to Preschool Least Restrictive Environment. The letter reaffirms the position of the U.S. Department of Education (ED or Department) that all young children with disabilities should have access to inclusive high-quality early childhood programs where they are provided with individualized and appropriate supports to enable them to meet high expectations. The guidance provided in the DCL covers:...
Description: Resources Within Reason is a bi-monthly, one-way listserv. Each issue focuses on a topic of interest to individuals who support young children and their families, with emphasis on children with or at risk for disabilities. All featured resources are free. Join the listserv or send an email to dec@dec-sped.org and ask to be added to the list-serv. The January 2017 issue focuses on The Evidence for Inclusion and provides definitions of inclusion, research facts and barriers to inclusion. The...
Description: Included in this video clip directory are a series of video clips that have been carefully vetted and selected by staff from the Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL). Video clips on specific topics can be narrowed down using the categories on the left. Please note: The links below direct you to a website not associated with the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). The VDOE does not necessarily endorse the views expressed or the data and facts presented...
Description: Hyperactive, non-compliant, and disruptive behaviors in the classroom are often challenges for early childhood educators, regardless of whether a young child is diagnosed with ADHD or not. Understanding the rationale for and principles of behavior management and self-regulation approaches can help you support positive development for young children with challenging behaviors using evidence-based strategies. This "Ask the Expert" video is full of information and strategies that you may find...
Description: This free 10 minute video explores the value of play, playful inquiry and the role of adults in supporting, advocating for and investing in children’s play.
Description: This website currently supports the Virginia Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) leaders responsible for administrative oversight of local ECSE programs. The primary focus is to provide consistent information statewide to improve the collection, reporting, and use of ECSE indicator data; and connect, support, and empower local leaders to build capacity and provide high-quality programs and services throughout the state for young children ages 2-5 years with IEPs.
Description: This brief builds on the research review and policy recommendations in the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and US Department of Education (DOE) joint policy statement on inclusion. It highlights research relevant to three questions: 1) What are the effects of inclusive preschool on children’s early learning and development? 2) What is known about the quality of inclusive preschool programs? 3) What is known about how to improve the quality of inclusive preschool? In a...
Description: The purpose of this letter from the US Department of Education (US DOE) Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is to reiterate that the least restrictive environment (LRE) requirements in Section 612(a)(5) of the Individuals with Disabilitis Education Act (IDEA) apply to the placement of preschool children with disabilities.
Description: This webinar will focus on supporting participation of children with disabilities in high quality inclusive environments through understanding: Federal policies and laws, including IDEA and Head Start Performance Standards, related to providing services and support for young children with disabilities, Evidence-based practices that promote active engagement, participation, and a sense of belonging, and; Each sector's (ED/HHS) role in ensuring young children with disabilities are fully...
Description: The purpose of this policy statement is to set a vision and provide recommendations to States, local educational agencies (LEAs), schools, and public and private early childhood programs, from the U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Health and Human Services (HHS) (the Departments), for increasing the inclusion of infants, toddlers, and preschool children with disabilities in high-quality early childhood programs
Description: The SETT Framework is a four part model intended to promote collaborative decision-making in all phases of assistive technology service design and delivery from consideration through implementation and evaluation of effectiveness. The SETT Scaffolds are a series of forms that, like architectural scaffolds, are designed to be used when and where needed. They are meant to be examples and can be adapted and changed to meet the needs of the people who are using them as long as credits to the...
Description: Module 1 provides a general overview of the ICP and Module 2 offers a step-by-step guide for administering the ICP measure in the classroom. The ICP is an observational tool for assessing the quality of inclusive classroom practices across twelve dimensions of quality. It has been piloted in the United Kingdom (UK) and in the USA.
Description: NPDCI has developed a document, Research Synthesis Points on Quality Inclusive Practices that provides brief descriptions and supporting references for the evidence-based and promising practices that support early childhood inclusion. These practices are organized into three major sections corresponding to the defining features of high quality early childhood inclusion as described in Early Childhood inclusion: A Joint Position Statement of the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) and the National...
Description: The ECTA Center supports state Part C and Section 619 programs in developing high-quality early intervention and preschool special education service systems, increasing local implementation of evidence-based practices, and enhancing outcomes for young children with disabilities and their families. We are a national technical assistance center focused on building state and local system capacity to improve outcomes for children with disabilities and their families. ECTA Center is funded by a...
Description: For many administrators and educators working in early childhood programs, inclusion is filled with complex and puzzling issues. Administrators hold a powerful role in creating and maintaining inclusive classrooms for young children. Over the past 5 years, we have talked with many administrators who set program policy. These admininstrators exert key influences over whether or not inclusive classrooms exist and how successful the programs are for children, teachers, and families. The purpose of...
Description: The National Professional Development Center on Inclusion (NPDCI) is working with states to ensure that early childhood teachers are prepared to educate and care for young children with disabilities in settings with their typically developing peers. The Web site provides resources, training modules, news, and a blog for discussions related to inclusive practices. (Inclusion)
Description: Research and recommended practices to conduct authentic assessment during children’s natural routines, involve families, inform effective program planning, and aligning with DEC and NAEYC recommendations are provided in this book. Includes vignettes, classroom examples, and sample checklists and assessment tools for children with and without disabilities. (Paul H. Brookes Publishing)
Description: This website is dedicated to promoting inclusive schooling and exploring positive ways of supporting students with autism and other disabilities. Most of Paula Kluth's work involves collaboraing with schools to create environments, lessons, and experiences that are inclusive, respectful, and accessible for all learners. You will find articles, web links, and resources that can be used to inspire positive change in schools and communities. You will find the following beliefs reflected in the...
Description: The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) promotes policies and advances evidence-based practices that support families and enhance the optimal development of young children (0-8) who have or are at risk for developmental delays and disabilities. DEC is an international membership organization for those who work with or on behalf of young children (0-8) with disabilities and other special needs and their families.