Early Childhood Education and Care for Children with Disabilities: Facilitating Inclusive Practice*

Abstract

In this case study, a co-operative inquiry process was used to facilitate the expansion of inclusive early childhood education and care practices in a rural community in the Midwest. A university and a community researcher first engaged in interviews and site visits, during which they learned how a three-member inclusion team of early care and education professionals initiated changes in practice from self-contained to inclusive special education and therapy. Key practices included responding to families' priorities, changing roles, and providing integrated services and support for children's successful transitions into Kindergarten. The second part of the research consisted of action planning during focus groups and community meetings, which resulted in social recognition from the school district, technical assistance through state improvement grant funding, and better preschool options for young children with disabilities.

Inclusive education in pre-schools: predictors of pre-service teacher attitudes in Australia

“…This could indicate there are other contributing factors to the development of attitudes towards IE in the pre-service pre-school teacher population that this study, and those before it, have not been identified or examined. The preschool setting provides a range of challenges and needs which differ to those of the primary and secondary settings (DeVore & Russell, 2007;Ross-Watt, 2005), however, the majority of research has been centred upon these populations (de Boer et al, 2010;Pearce & Forlin, 2005). It is possible that, until now, the unique factors that shape pre-service pre-school teachers attitudes have been masked by the number of studies that incorporate overwhelmingly primary and secondary pre-service teacher samples.…”

When differences do not matter: inclusion in a Mexican primary school / Cuando las diferencias no importan: la inclusión en una escuela primaria mexicana

“…Para ayudar a las escuelas a ser más inclusivas, se han desarrollado diversos recursos y programas para aplicar en escuelas inclusivas (DeVore & Russell, 2007;Karten, 2007).…”

“…To help schools be more inclusive, several resources and programmes have been developed to be utilized in inclusive schools (Devore & Russell, 2007;Karten, 2007).…”

Against the Standards: Analyzing Expectations and Discourse of Educators regarding Students with Disabilities in a Kindergarten Classroom

“…In addition, inclusive and diverse environments have been more prevalent and encouraged in early education [6][7][8][9]. It is important, then, that teachers are prepared to meet the needs of students with disabilities [8].…”